Gated Communities: Boon or Bane?
There has been some division in opinion amongst various quarters over the issue of gated and guarded housing. Proponents for the concept argue that this is not only an innovative approach to residential development, but is also an idea borne out of necessity, given the high rate of crime, house break-ins especially, in our country. More and more house buyers are looking for peace of mind and insulation from unsolicited criminal elements. The necessity to protect themselves from criminal intrusion has prompted many residents to organize themselves to set up security patrols and barriers within their own neighborhoods, even though the legality of taking such action may come into question. It is not difficult to understand why gated and guarded housing projects are gaining popularity amongst Malaysian house buyers.
Other quarters, however, have argued that gated and guarded residential communities should not be encouraged because they create elitism and separation. Their argument against this approach is that given our multi-ethnic and multi racial diversity, separating our communities by barricading them behind guarded enclaves would not help the cause or process of integration and social acceptance in our country. They view gated and guarded communities as a regressive move that will drive social divides even deeper.
Both schools of thought have their merits and shortcomings. But with the reality of rising crime rates in urban townships and inadequate measures and resources provided by the authorities to deal with these literally “life and death” issues, proponents of gated and guarded housing can be excused for choosing practical solutions to protect their lives and property.
Thus, developers will respond to house buyers’ preferences and build according to their needs, which in turn may catalyze the need for regulatory and legislative changes to be made to accommodate new ideas and innovations.
At federal level, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was very responsive to the changing needs of urban communities and amended the Strata Titles Act 1985 to cater for the emergence of gated and guarded communities in the country. However, some planners have been reported to be against the idea of gated housing for fear of breeding elite communities behind physical barriers. It would be interesting to see whether the respective state approving authorities will say aye or nay to gated and guarded housing schemes.