Please Fence Me In

Urban planners and academics are raising questions about the long-term social impact of gated neighborhoods.

1 minute read

August 7, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Nationally, the number of people building or buying behind gates grew rapidly in the past few decades to about 4 million today, according to some estimates, with maybe twice as many behind walls or fences that give the appearance of being gated... Will privatizing traditionally public spaces lead to an erosion of civic engagement? Will gates that clearly delineate neighborhood boundaries heighten the sense of social, economic, and racial divisions that already exist in society? And will children who grow up in gated communities come to depend on walls and gates for a sense of security?"

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 in The Christian Science Monitor

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