Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
9th International European Conference on Interdisciplinary Scientific Research, Valencia, İspanya, 19 - 21 Ocak 2024, ss.32-33, (Özet Bildiri)
Pre-industrial cities represented centers of political life, where knowledge and art coexisted and were embodied in the reality of their built environment. However, with the emergence of the bourgeoisie after industrialization, all aspects of the city were reinterpreted through the lens of commodification, with exchange value and rent value becoming increasingly important. In cities governed by industrialized and neoliberal policies, it is insufficient to define exchange and rent values solely through economic inputs. Urban phenomena, accompanied by regional contexts, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of capital circulation. In this context, urban phenomena that provide a common sensory experience for everyone, such as fear, identity, belonging, and security, can be highlighted. It is observed that urban space is fragmented and divided under the influence of neoliberal consumption and living dynamics. This fragmentation creates internal security and publicness constructs within these segmented spaces, while weakening the public structure of the urban space outside of them. The weakening of this public social structure in such areas may lead to feelings of insecurity and fear among individuals, due to factors like crime, pollution, and overcrowding. In response to these concerns, gated communities have become a popular alternative for those seeking safe and controllable living spaces. This study examines the urban fear phenomenon through qualitative analyses of gated communities, a type of enclosed space. Gated communities are characterized by their physical barriers and controlled access, promising increased security and private living environments to their residents. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals living in these communities to analyze their motivations for moving to and continuing to live in such spaces, using thematic coding. The analyses revealed that the security and segregation offered by gated communities impact social relationships and overall quality of life, and are associated with exchange value and rent. In conclusion, this study provides insights into how gated communities have emerged as a response to urban fear, and how this lifestyle has shaped social dynamics.