Gated Communities In Residential Areas - Causative Factors In Different Institutional Frameworks. Israel And Poland Comparison

"The development of residential areas that are described as Gated Communities (""""GC"""") is rapidly spreading around the world in various forms and extents. Yet, these residential areas are usually associated with physical separation of their residents and the exclusion of those that are not. The proliferation of GC's has engaged the attention of academic researchers. Some researchers describe GCs as a global phenomenon. This phenomenon, it is claimed, is influenced by social and ideological trends such as individualism, neo-liberalism and deregulation. Other authors refer to the effects of the local processes and the cultural characteristics concerning this residential form. Generally, GCs are perceived as a means to obtain some social desires and a higher degree of security. The type and extent of these motives differs among different countries. The manifestations of GCs and their popularity are also influenced by the specific perception of GCs and the policies that concern them. Our research aims to demonstrate this combination of effects in two different countries ñ Poland and Israel. Poland is cited as a country with the largest number of GCs in Europe. There is also a growing number of GCs in Israel. Our research examines the perceptions of GCs in both of the countries and their manifestations, the motives that influence the demand and the institutional environment that influence the supply of this housing form. The institutional environment includes policies and laws that may affect GCs. The authors sought to identify existing similarities and differences concerning GCs among the countries."""" ""."