A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities

The rise of gated communities in the Middle East is vastly spreading, driven by socioeconomic fluctuations and a desire for exclusivity. This article aims to contribute to the scholarly debates on the socio-spatial impacts of gated communities by presenting a narrative review that synthesises findin...

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Main Authors: Ahmed Hammad, Mengbi Li, Zora Vrcelj
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Urban, Planning and Transport Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21650020.2025.2489464
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author Ahmed Hammad
Mengbi Li
Zora Vrcelj
author_facet Ahmed Hammad
Mengbi Li
Zora Vrcelj
author_sort Ahmed Hammad
collection DOAJ
description The rise of gated communities in the Middle East is vastly spreading, driven by socioeconomic fluctuations and a desire for exclusivity. This article aims to contribute to the scholarly debates on the socio-spatial impacts of gated communities by presenting a narrative review that synthesises findings from peer-reviewed articles in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The study suggests that residents of gated communities benefit from positive attributes, including security, lifestyle, and exclusivity. However, negative influences, including segregation and separation, extend beyond the walls, impacting the surrounding communities. This article argues that the spread of gated communities represents a trend of luxury and exclusivity for affluent individuals, largely driven by developers. It concludes that while gated communities offer several positive attributes, these benefits are limited to a specific group residing within their walls. Planners and policymakers are encouraged to leverage these benefits and incorporate them in future designs.
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spelling doaj-art-b9da7bc4108e41c28dee7f3fd4aadc6b2025-08-20T02:12:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupUrban, Planning and Transport Research2165-00202025-12-0113110.1080/21650020.2025.2489464A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern CitiesAhmed Hammad0Mengbi Li1Zora Vrcelj2Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, AustraliaInstitute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, AustraliaInstitute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, AustraliaThe rise of gated communities in the Middle East is vastly spreading, driven by socioeconomic fluctuations and a desire for exclusivity. This article aims to contribute to the scholarly debates on the socio-spatial impacts of gated communities by presenting a narrative review that synthesises findings from peer-reviewed articles in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The study suggests that residents of gated communities benefit from positive attributes, including security, lifestyle, and exclusivity. However, negative influences, including segregation and separation, extend beyond the walls, impacting the surrounding communities. This article argues that the spread of gated communities represents a trend of luxury and exclusivity for affluent individuals, largely driven by developers. It concludes that while gated communities offer several positive attributes, these benefits are limited to a specific group residing within their walls. Planners and policymakers are encouraged to leverage these benefits and incorporate them in future designs.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21650020.2025.2489464Gated communities in Middle Eastern Citiessocio-economic changesurban planningsegregation and separation
spellingShingle Ahmed Hammad
Mengbi Li
Zora Vrcelj
A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
Urban, Planning and Transport Research
Gated communities in Middle Eastern Cities
socio-economic changes
urban planning
segregation and separation
title A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
title_full A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
title_fullStr A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
title_full_unstemmed A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
title_short A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities
title_sort narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in middle eastern cities
topic Gated communities in Middle Eastern Cities
socio-economic changes
urban planning
segregation and separation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21650020.2025.2489464
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