The term “gated community” simply refers to any type of neighborhood that controls access using one or more gates that residents or visitors can pass through. Some of these communities have guard booths with a security staff to ensure that only residents and their guests pass the gate, while others use an automatic gate that residents must open with a key card or remote control.
Gated communities tend to be named and have clear geographic definitions, they may exist in any location including cities, towns and rural areas. They also range in size from a few homes to several dozen. In Nigeria these communities are often referred to as estates and examples are; Nicon Town, Charlton Gate, Victoria Garden City, Banana Island and Parkview, etc.
Benefits of living in a gated community:
- Safety and Security.This is one of the more obvious reasons people opt to live in a gated community. Gated communities have limited entrances and as mentioned earlier these entrances will have security men or require remote access and will also keep record of who comes and goes. For added security some gated communities required cars to be searched before entering and before leaving as an added layer of security.
- Privacy: Privacy is somewhat similar to Safety. You get an extra layer of privacy in addition to your own compound. As the gated community or estate only gives access to residents and verified guests, you are separated from the hustle and bustle of regular street life, you are able to go about your activities without being bothered by hawkers, or solicitors of any kind. This privacy also provides a safe space for children to play.
- Sense Of Community: Living in one of these communities proved a sense of community. Estates tend to have events, and social gatherings which can be great for one’s network. There also tends to be an unspoken understanding between residents about the mutually beneficial aspects of living together in this manner. Living in a gated community residents are more likely to trust and want to get to know their neighbors.
- Integrated Lifestyle: The more luxurious and high end estates tend to have access to a number of amenities. Gated communities can offer facilities such as a basketball court, a park, football pitch, swimming pools, gyms, malls/supermarkets. Having such amenities close by and restricted to only residents and their guests makes for a comfortable living. Some of these amenities would cost a lot more if residents were to pay for them outside the estate.
- Greener and cleaner environment: With the absence of traffic and outsiders, gated communities are less susceptible to various forms of pollution, i.e noise pollution, air pollution and eye pollution. Littering is less within these communities and the cleaning tends to be more organized and easy to control in estates.
