Gated communities have been common residential areas in countries such as the US and South Africa for several years, although this is a phenomenon that have not yet been seen inSweden. Strandudden market themselves as “Sweden’s first gated community”, and is to bedeveloped in Gnosjö which is a rural municipality that seems to lack the negative externalities that have been linked to the occurrence of these residential areas. 

The study was done by utilizing a qualitative approach with both qualitative and quantitative data, GIS was used together with semi-structured interviews, site-visits and a document analysis to answer the research question: How can we explain the development and marketing of a gated community in an area that lacks the negative externalities that are often linked to the occurrence of these residential areas? 

The findings suggest that the development of Strandudden can be explained by looking at two factors, the fear of crime and the sense of community in the area, both are factors that have shown to have an impact on the occurrence of gated communities. While Gnosjö has low crime rates, there are indication of there being a fear of crime present amongst the inhabitants, while also a strong sense of community. The conclusion that could be drawn is that both factors is something that can explain the development of Strandudden. The residential form, which is being advertised as a gated community would be able to provide an increased level of security, while also increase the sense of community that is experienced within the residential area.