‘Fear and happiness in the twenty-first century city’ is the sub-title of this book. It tells of the development of gated communities in London, where local people cannot enter on foot even if they’re right next door. I couldn’t help wondering what would happen if there was an earthquake!
The author points out that controlled environments may be safe, but they remove personal responsibility and undermine our relationships with the environment and with each other. I’m aware that such enclaves are already spreading in New Zealand, and hope that those responsible for re-building the damaged parts of Christchurch might read this book first. I must admit I haven’t finished it because I currently have five library books out and two more waiting to be collected, but I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who cares about the direction our built environment is taking.
“To safely live it may be good
but why shut out the neighbourhood?”
Ruth's Reflections 
be fascinated to read it…..its an interesting trend
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My neighbours are lovely…. so I wouldn’t want to shut them out. Of course there are some people I’d rather not live next door to. Years ago when I lived in London there was a National Front squat across the road from us. And a derelict house occupied by passing homeless people, who tended to use a lot of drugs and play very loud music late at night. OK… all night. But we were young then and didn’t worry so much. Gates? Never crossed my mind….
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