Social capital in the communities of gated communities Research experiences from the non-profit organizations of gated communities in the urban agglomeration of Budapest

Abstract

Abstract Most of the sociological aspect literature on residential parks is very critical of the spread of gated communities. Their negative effects on social relations are a central topic, as it is believed that they help the closure of the elite, the polarization of society and embody segregation. Research into the relationship between gated communities/neighbourhood organizations and social capital reveals a contradictory situation: The presence of gated communities in suburban areas is an indicator of non-productive and non-beneficial social capital, while at the same time community organizations can have a positive impact on the social life of their members and on the quality of life of those living in the residential environment. In this paper I examine the civil organizations of the gated communities of the agglomeration in Budapest, from these points of view. Based on Coleman’s and Esser’s conception of social capital, I analyze the impacts on social capital of the civil/ non-profit organizations and the residential communities of gated communities. My results show that the relationships between residents of gated communities are generally minimal, while at the same time, in gated communities where a civil/non-profit organization operates, a higher level of social capital is manifested. In many cases, the foundation of the NGOs depends on the social capital of the community. Among the different types of gated communities in Hungary, closed gated communities fit most readily into the international typology. Keywords: gated community, social capital, civil society, agglomeration