S/S/41. Dissertation. Wealth defence in the UK: A consideration of the potential repercussions following an increase in the number of gated communities

This dissertation gives forethought to the potential ramifications of an increase in the number of gated communities in the UK. Numerous commentators in the US have asserted that the effects of gated communities are overwhelmingly negative (Blakely and Snyder, 1999; Low, 2003). Very little has been written on gated communities in the UK context but similar pessimism does exist among those who have taken an interest (Webster; 2001; Minton; 2002). Although Britain has a far less number of these gated enclaves, than the US, the chief objective of this dissertation was to establish that, Britain will witness, a multiplication of gated communities in the near future and that the effects on society will be dramatically deleterious. Evidence from a plethora of secondary sources was utilised in order to support this argument. These sources, particularly relevant theory and UK policy, were then critical analysed. The main findings of this research were that the number of gated communities in Britain is growing. Moreover, this is most likely due to increasing levels of social and economic polarisation. Gated communities are the physical manifestation of this trend. The wealthy (middle-upper-classes) are opting out of the public realm to protect their best interests (security, prestige, wealth etc) in these elitist enclaves. This has left those, who cannot afford to reside within these gated complexes, to contend with diminishing public space, decaying public services, and a skewed level civic responsibility. The government has failed to acknowledge this as a significant threat to British society and has made no adequate stand against Ëvoluntary exclusion. Instead, it has disproportionately focused on the problems associated with concentrations of poverty and encouraged the public to protect themselves. As a consequence, barriers between the rich and poor in Britain are, more commonly taking physical form and intensifying the already unacceptable situation.