Hammad, Ahmed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7848-8116, Li, Mengbi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7499-8940 and Vrcelj, Zora ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1403-7416 (2025) A narrative review of gated communities and the transformative social impact in Middle Eastern Cities. Urban, Planning and Transport Research, 13 (1). ISSN 2165-0020

Abstract

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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