Edward Blakely, co-author of “Fortress America: Gated Communities in the United States,” pens an opinion piece for The Washington Post looking at the detrimental psychology that exists in gated communities such as where Trayvon Martin died.
Blakely looks at the ways in which gated communities blur traditional lines of public and private in dangerous ways, which he extends outside the gates to "the nation's ideal of equality among its people."
Based on his extensive research across the country, and the statistics of local police departments, Blakely upends the supposed benefits of gated communities -- that they are more safe and more neighborly than other suburban communities. Aside from reduced rates of car theft, Blakely has found that, "gated communities do not have less crime than the suburbs from which they're walled off." He continues, "For many, the guards at the gate provide an artificial sense of safety. In our surveys of more than 1,000 residents of gated communities, many said they chose to live there because they traveled or worked long hours, so they had no time to meet neighbors and used the guards as their home security system."
For many of the six to nine million Americans living in single-family residences in gated suburban developments, their fortifications may induce the perception that a different set of rules apply inside the walls than outside of them. Furthermore, Blakeley argues that residents of gated communities often perceive those wall as freeing them from the communal responsibility to invest in larger public systems of education, healthcare, infrastructure, fire, and police.
"Barriers erode social stability and civic responsibility. Some make sense to protect special natural habitats, schools and similar places. But in cities and suburbs, we need to share space to make our communities stronger and safer."
FULL STORY: In gated communities, such as where Trayvon Martin died, a dangerous mind-set

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie