Geography & Environment Publications
The Rise of Gated Housing Estates in Ghana: Empirical Insights from Three Communities in Metropolitan Accra
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2009
Volume
24
Issue
3
Journal
Journal of Housing and the Built Environment
First Page
227
Last Page
247
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10901-009-9146-0
Abstract
In metropolitan Accra, Ghana’s economic and administrative hub, the global phenomenon of the gated housing estate is burgeoning, representing a substantial part of the new housing market. It has a recent history dating back only to the neoliberal era of the mid-1990s. Because it is a new phenomenon in Ghana very little is known about the motivations and contentment of residents, interactions within and outside the gates, and perceptions toward gated residents. This paper takes the first step by providing empirical insights from three communities (Manet Court, Devtraco Villas, and Regimanuel Estate) located in Metropolitan Accra. The data suggest that perceived concern for security is the primary motivation for the residents to live in these communities. Contrary to findings of other studies, the current research reveals that there are appreciable levels of interaction among the residents in these communities, although such interaction exists purely on the economic level, with gated housing estates providing a considerable level of low-income employment opportunities to surrounding residents. The paper concludes by identifying some of the key urban planning challenges that have so far accompanied gated housing development.
