The role of developers in the formation of gated communities in Prague

Abstract

Existing literature on the formation of gated communities primarily focuses on the demand side. Mainstream theories pay attention to the fear of crime or social prestige. However, little attention has been paid to the role of supply factors. Prague, as a post-socialist city, has experienced a rapid growth of gated communities in recent years. This paper identifies the main driving forces behind the creation of gated communities in Prague. Our empirical research demonstrates that the creation of gated communities was not primarily initiated from supply side. We argue that the role of developers was critical in the formation of gated communities in Prague during the 2000s.