Explaining the theoretical model of the relationship between social-spatial segregation and the formation of gated communities in Iranian cities

ABSTRACT
Due to the necessity of investigating the relationship between the formation of enclosed or gated communities and spatial-social separation in Iranian cities, this topic has not been well studied so far. For this purpose, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between these two issues and the indicators affecting their formation in the cities of the country. In this research, systematic review, content analysis, and structural analysis were used. The findings of the research show that social indicators are the most frequent indicators in previous studies, followed by economic indicators, indicators related to housing, and physical indicators, respectively. Also, the indicators of employment, income, and education are the influencing variables that affect social-spatial segregation and, consequently, the formation of gated communities in Iranian cities. These factors are directly and indirectly effective in social-spatial segregation and, consequently, in the formation of gated communities through the promotion of social distance. Also, inequality in urban environments has an effect on the formation of gated communities through the impact of social-spatial segregation, and gated communities intensify social-spatial segregation by creating inequality in urban environments and promoting physical distance and social distance. As a result, it seems that social distance and inequality in the city environment mediate the relationship between gated communities and social-spatial segregation in Iranian cities.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
In recent years, many cities and metropolises of the country have faced a significant increase in the number of gated communities as a new manifestation of social-spatial segregation. These communities have played a big role in the country's housing market; many types have been created or are being built. This issue has become a major concern for managers, planners, designers and citizens. However, this issue has not been well studied so far due to the necessity of examining the relevance of this type of residential construction under the title of enclosed or gated communities and social-spatial separation. For this purpose, this research has been conducted to investigate the relationship between these two issues and the indicators affecting their formation in the country's cities. In fact, this research seeks to answer the following questions:
-What is the relationship between social-spatial segregation and the formation of gated communities in Iranian cities?
-What are the key indicators affecting the formation of these two concepts in the country?
 
Methodology
The research methods used in this study were systematic review, content analysis, and structural analysis. In fact, it has been tried to answer the research questions in four basic steps. First, in the first step, using a systematic review of previous studies, it was identified in several stages and screened using the Prisma technique (2009) and based on the works of his colleagues (2015) until the most relevant studies were identified for content analysis and identification of indicators and categories. At this stage, the characteristics of previous studies (37 articles related to social-spatial segregation and 9 articles related to gated communities (introduced in the research background section)) in terms of author, year, publication, case, approach and keywords have been checked and analyzed by the software (VOS viewer). Then, in order to identify the relationship between the two concepts of social-spatial segregation and gated communities and the indicators affecting them, the content analysis of these studies using the software (MAXQDA) was done in the second step, and the indicators and codes showing the relationship between segregation spatial-social selection and gated communities have been identified. In the third step, due to the fact that the most important indicators affecting spatial and social segregation in Iranian cities are not known, the most key indicators have been identified from the experts' point of view using the structural analysis and software method (MICMAC). Finally, in the fourth step, the theoretical model of the research (relationship between social-spatial segregation and gated communities in Iranian cities) is presented, according to the previous three steps. The data collection method combined library studies and consensus based on an expert panel (in structural analysis of indicators).
 
Results and discussion
The findings show that employment, income, and education are influential variables that are the main effective indicators of social-spatial segregation and, consequently, the formation of gated communities in Iranian cities. Their effectiveness is much higher than their effectiveness. They are considered key indicators that are effective in reducing social-spatial segregation. These factors are effective both directly and through influencing people's personal preferences on social-spatial segregation and consequently on the formation of gated communities through promoting social distance. Also, inequality in urban environments has an impact on the formation of gated communities through social-spatial segregation, and gated communities intensify spatial segregation by creating inequality in urban environments and improving physical and social distance. Moreover, it has become a social phenomenon in the city. As a result, according to the theoretical model of the research, it seems that social distance and inequality in the city environment mediate the relationship between gated communities and social-spatial segregation. Of course, these two are not completely distinguishable because gated communities' manifest optional spatial separation by people who, due to social distance, have tried to separate their living space from other people by emphasizing differences such as employment, income, and education.
 
Conclusion
As a result, social-spatial segregation and gated communities are not completely distinguishable because gated communities are equivalent to separation, and the manifestation of social-spatial segregation is optional by people who, due to social distance, emphasize differences such as Employment, income and education have separated their living space from other people. However, social distance and inequality in the city environment seem to mediate the relationship between gated communities and social-spatial segregation.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.