Abstract:

The most significant reflections of globalization and neo-liberal policies can be seen in urban area. In this process, on the one hand, the city has become a scene of different spatial organizations and lifestyles. On the other hand, it has appeared as a space of unprecedented inequalities. Gated communities have been described as one of the new urban development form marking this transformation process. These residential areas located either in the center of the cities or suburban areas. They have presented their residents with a new lifestyle  emphasizing safety and status privilege.  At the same time, the residents are segregated from the other city dwellers because of the barriers and security measures. This spatial segregation process is also transforming into a social segregation process. Cities are getting away from being the places of diversity and a shared common life. They are turning into places where  people are segregating and getting away from each other. This trend has accelerated since 1990s in the world, and has become widespread since the 2000’s in Turkey, too. This study seeks to analyze and examine the spatial, individual and social effects of these new residential areas.

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