(School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand., 2017) Tswai, Klaas
Gated communities are a global phenomenon, which is one of the most striking features of contemporary urbanism. Their rise and popularity have provoked different experiences and narratives, but most specifically in South Africa, it has caught the attention of many commentators and academics. Lemanski (2006) argued that majority of literature has emphasized the negative impacts, whereas their positives are less announced. This research report assess the impacts of gated communities on surrounding disadvantaged areas by investigating the socio-economic and spatial relationships that existing between them. Steyn City and Dieplsoot are used as a case study for this research and the research is using the perception of Diepsloot residents to understand the relationships between these two communities.
This research has discovered socio-economic and spatial relationships between Diepsloot and Steyn City and as opposed the huge amount of critique gated communities in South Africa have received, Diepsloot residence tends to differ, because for them Steyn City Development brought hope and revival for the community.