Gated vs. Non-Gated Estates: Spatial Factors Shaping Stationary and Social Activities in Chinese Housing Estates

Yufeng Yang (), Laura Vaughan and Matthew Carmona
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Yufeng Yang: Intelligent Design Laboratory, School of Fine Arts, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
Laura Vaughan: Space Syntax Laboratory, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, London WC1H 0QB, UK
Matthew Carmona: Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-32

Abstract: Open spaces in housing estates are crucial for residents’ physical and mental well-being, especially when access to other public spaces is restricted (e.g., during a pandemic). While existing studies focus on public spaces, less is known about how residential landscapes, particularly in gated estates, influence outdoor activities. This study investigates the spatial logic behind the distribution of standing, sitting and social interaction within six pairs of gated and non-gated housing estates in Wuhan. Using space syntax analysis and zero-inflated negative binomial regression, we explore how the spatial configuration influences the incidence of outdoor activities in gated and non-gated estates. The findings suggest that spatial attributes not only significantly explain where activities occurred but also where they did not. More importantly, we found distinct differences between the two types: non-gated estates were more responsive to design, with more spatial factors significantly predicting activities simultaneously, whereas in gated compounds, only a few factors had a significant impact. Critical factors of outdoor activities include seating provision, convex area, perimeter enclosure, and spatial accessibility. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of spatial dynamics in residential environments and provide practical insights for urban design and residential planning.

Keywords: space syntax; stationary activity; social interaction; residential planning; gated housing estates; zero-inflated negative binomial model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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