The Non-gated Gated Community of Stapleton

ABSTRACT

Stapleton is an urban infill development with a master plan that calls for many ambitious and benevolent social, environmental, and economic goals: aiming to become a well-integrated, inclusive community; promoting internal diversity by providing an array of land-use and housing options; and integrating externally through fostered connections to surrounding, already established neighborhoods. However, through observations and walking interviews with residents, we have reason to question the fulfillment of these goals. Instead we found several physical and non-physical barriers that clearly divide the community, both internally and externally. This study is intended to advance discourse on community borders, particularly for infill developments integrating into already existing urban fabrics.