Review of Physical Planning Aspect of Gated Community Developments

The Gated Community housing concept has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years in Malaysia, especially in urban areas. This has, however, given rise to various contentious issues relating to the physical planning of gated community housing where such development has not been properly controlled, and where designated standards of planning are not observed. This study is a review based on case studies aimed at examining significant issues that arise in the physical planning of gated community housing. The findings identify such issues as facilities, accessibility, townscape changes and permeability to non-residents. Other problems that arise include conflicts with local authorities, compatibility of guardhouses and physical barriers with existing guidelines, and friction between residents of the community with those from adjacent areas. This study examines how applying the theories of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) in the orderly development of gated communities might achieve a high level of physical security and better understanding among residents in the community.