ABSTRACT
This chapter departs from the question of whether the dominant gated community concept in contemporary academic and political debates (still) fits daily, diverse and flexible instances of gated communities visible in today’s cities. The primary intention of the chapter is not to take a position in the discussion on whether gated communities are considered positive or negative, good or bad. But by providing an insider perspective ‘under the bonnet’ of a gated community in Istanbul and by diving into its inner workings as a lived urban space, the chapter aims to examine the gated community beyond its dominant characterisations. This wider examination is realised by exploring Lefebvre’s work on the production of space – particularly his writings on the spatial triad – through a relational lens. Through the exploration of the everyday lives, practices and experiences of the people in a modern gated community in Istanbul, this chapter illustrates the novel insights and potential additional value that such a relational approach may render.
