Study on the Concepts of Surveillance, Control, Discipline and Privacy in the Context of the City and Urbanization through Gated Communities and Social Media

Abstract

Gated communities, which are our private living spaces and are especially preferred by families with small children, have become places where individuals are constantly watched, supervised, and even disciplined.

The security measures in these communities which are in the city but offer a living style of suburban’s, highly similar measures as in minimum security jails. As a result of the observations and examinations, the control and supervision that started at the main entrance of the gated communities spread to all public areas within the site. The entrances of the blocks, the parking garages and even the garbage collection areas are subject to this inspection and keep the residents of these communities under constant surveillance

The concept of privacy has begun to lose its meaning with the rapid spread of the internet today. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, which are used extensively by the young generation, have taken the place of public spaces. These networks, where all kinds of personal information can be shared, have destroyed the sense of privacy.

It has been emphasized that concepts such as surveillance, control and privacy are widely used in the city, especially in private areas, against our will. With the spread of social media networks, people who are trying to be disciplined in closed/secure sites are forced to act and live in a certain way by losing their privacy.

In this study, it has been observed “how the closed/guarded communities built within the scope of the city can shape the living conditions” and at the same time, “how the internet environment restricts us within these areas” and “how social media networks destroy personal privacy”, is examined.