Enclave Urbanism in China: Attitudes Towards Gated Communities in Guangzhou

Under the conditions of differentiated local governance emerging in urban China, enclave spaces have become fundamental features of the spatial structure of Chinese cities. With an interest in the rationale and consequences of intra-urban boundaries, this study investigates residents' attitudes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban geography 2012-02, Vol.33 (2), p.278-294
Main Author: Breitung, Werner
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
Belonging
boundary
China
Community
differentiated governance
enclave urbanism
Estates
Gated communities
gated community
Housing developments
Local government
Residential segregation
Security
Social exclusion
Social integration
Symbols
Urban areas
Urbanism
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Summary:Under the conditions of differentiated local governance emerging in urban China, enclave spaces have become fundamental features of the spatial structure of Chinese cities. With an interest in the rationale and consequences of intra-urban boundaries, this study investigates residents' attitudes towards gated living in private commodity-housing estates, using surveys and interviews conducted with residents living both inside and outside three such estates in Guangzhou. Results show a strong desire for separating "insiders" from "outsiders." Insiders justify the practice of gating with the interrelated arguments of heightened security, sense of belonging, symbolic functions, and the production of a good living environment. Even residents outside the estates show a considerable acceptance of gates and walls, which challenges the widely accepted view that gating exacerbates local social tensions.
ISSN:0272-3638
1938-2847
DOI:10.2747/0272-3638.33.2.278