Coexistence in gated communities of Cali, Colombia. A qualitative analysis with a multidimensional model

Abstract

The expansive phenomenon of gated communities is an object of interest for different disciplines of social and human sciences. Research has revealed three dimensions of the issue: urbanistic, the relationship between public and private, and the social dynamics within the enclave. This article presents the results of a qualitative research study aimed at interpreting with a multidimensional perspective the neighborhood coexistence from the point of view of the actors (residents, counselors, and administrators) of residential units of different socioeconomic level of Cali - Colombia. The results show the complexity of coexistence in residential enclosures, thereby suggesting the need to view such coexistence from a comprehensive view that surpasses simplistic visions focused on legal dimensions.