Living in a Gated Community

by Ronel Forbes

February 6, 2024

New development zones in or next to our cities and towns are commonly referred to as “subdivisions. They are, of course, much more. They are the areas where people will be expected to live, play, work, raise children, get old, and engage in all of the other activities that our lives entail.

In the sense that a housing subdivision or metropolitan area supports life in an integrated and social sense. It must also be a space that promotes interaction, is safe, has a diverse population of people of various ages, and supports activities such as education, business, commerce, and recreation. This is what we call a community.

But how good are many of our freshly constructed communities, and what conditions allow them to function as a community? Is it even necessary to have a sense of community? These are some of the topics presented in this post, as well as some examples of how community pool or societal conditions affect the process, and we hope to be able to provide the answers you require.

What Are the Advantages of a Gated Community?

Gated communities are one of the fastest-growing types of housing in the Philippines, as more people see them as a desirable alternative to living in the city. So, why do some individuals prefer to live in exclusive, gated communities?

There are numerous explanations for this. Safety, security, tranquility, and belonging to a select group of people can all be considered. The benefits of living in a gated community are listed in this article.

Security and Safety

For many people, the main benefits of living in a gated community are safety and security. The likelihood of experiencing crime or anti-social conduct from persons outside the community is considerably decreased when only residents and invited guests are permitted through the gates.

You may go on a month-long vacation without worrying about your house being broken into or your car being stolen. Although gated communities can not totally prevent crime, they certainly inhibit it, especially if there is a security guard stationed at the entrance rather than merely a keypad access.

Image from bria.com.ph

Privacy

There is a stronger sense of privacy with highly regulated access to the neighborhood and no through traffic. Golf grounds, tennis courts, clubhouses, and swimming pools are all private to community members. Most gated communities give the impression that you may go about your daily routine without being bothered by outsiders.

Recreational Facilities

Residents of many gated communities have access to refreshment and sporting amenities. Golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and community recreation centers for activities like exercise and dance classes are examples of these. These are normally maintained by the community management group and provide entertainment and social contact for residents.

Image from www.camella.com.ph

Reduce of Traffic

Living in a gated community eliminates the need to deal with traffic. This translates to more peace and quiet, as the only traffic is typically generated by community residents arriving and departing. Walking and cycling in a quiet neighborhood is relaxing and safe. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation in many gated communities.

Sense of belonging

Property owner gatherings, sports, social functions, entertainment events, and core groups are all common in gated communities that build a sense of community. It’s simple to meet new people and find activities to do during the day and evening, and it’s simple to stay physically and socially engaged.

Residents in gated communities geared toward the elderly can offer mutual assistance to those suffering from illnesses, mobility impairments, and other aging-related challenges.

Increased Property Values

Property in gated communities is often more valuable than identical properties in non-gated areas due to a mix of variables (including build and sustain, building conformity, and exclusivity) associated with limited space. While this increases the cost of housing, it also makes them ideal investments because their value tends to rise over time.

Image from www.lessandra.com.ph

Exclusivity

By their very nature, gated communities are exclusive, and residing in one confers a certain level of social status. You might even live in the same neighborhood as a movie star or other celebrity. There are also gated communities available to meet certain requirements. In certain villages, for example, there is a common runway with each house having its own airplane hangar.

There will be less entreaty

There are significantly fewer, if any, solicitors with entrance through a gate guarded by a guard or keypad. Other residents’ kids trying to sell you girl scout cookies are more likely to bother you at your door than pushy marketers or market survey takers.

Children’s Playground Safety

Gated communities are safer places for children to play due to a number of considerations. The roads are safer with less traffic and slower speeds. There are fewer outsiders to be concerned about when entrance to the community is restricted. Children’s play areas and facilities are designed to keep them occupied and safe.

Image from www.lumina.com.ph

Higher Expectations at Home

People who live in gated communities have a strong sense of ownership over their property. Furthermore, laws are frequently in place to ensure that residents do not allow their homes or yards to become messy or to construct strange exterior displays. The roads, lawn spaces, ponds, and plants in the neighborhood are usually well-kept and maintained.

Gated Communities: Interesting Facts

The majority of gated and secured communities are privately owned, hard data can be hard to come by. The information below is based on PSA(Housing and Population estimations from 2019.

In the Philippines, 62 percent of residential neighborhoods are gated or secured.
Renters account for 49.6% of all residences, while owners account for 50.4 percent.
Residents aged 65 and more account for 22% of the population.
Secured and gated communities are especially widespread in the Philippines’ Luzon and southern regions. In certain remote places, they are the least common.

Thoughts

To establish community (rather than merely subdivision), the planning and design process must include the future socioeconomic characteristics of a location. Leaders and national level encouragement will be required to overcome the obstacles (such as funding for affordable housing, upfront expenses for community facilities, and examples on the ground).

I believe that master planning teams will include more people with talents in planning and design, social intervention, and even psychological professionals, and that the results on the ground will be more effective for the people who live there (and for the developer’s pocket).