Will opening the gated community be perceived beneficial by residents? A comparative study of Beijing and Singapore

The widespread criticism of gated communities as the source of various urban problems has led to a growth of planning initiatives to open them. However, when implemented in the city of Beijing, the benefits of openness that have been observed elsewhere are often questioned and even rejected by local residents. By comparing case studies in Beijing and Singapore, this study examines how strategies for opening gated communities are perceived by residents in the to-be-opened and open communities, and whether these insights can shed light on residents’ current resistance and inform relevant planning practice. The findings show that some design strategies that are widely regarded as having long-term benefits may not be directly applicable to opening gated communities, as their immediate impact may differ significantly for residents used to living in gated environments. Furthermore, the study reveals that for residents living in gated communities, certain strategies may exacerbate residents’ perception of the disparity between the inside and outside areas of their communities, counter to their original intent of mitigating segregation. Planners, policymakers, and other relevant professionals should exercise great caution in assessing potential risks and adapting specific strategies for opening gated communities to achieve as much as possible the intended benefits.