**5. Conclusions**

Based on the physical observation carried out in the study areas, gating are widely employed in various types of housing development. After physical observation of GCs characteristics of various neighbourhood and communities in the urban area of Ibadan, this study identified a working typology of GCs in Ibadan. This was taken as a starting point for this study. This typology comprises nine main types of GC in Ibadan. These include: Type A (Ornamental gating), Type B (Walled subdivisions) Type C (Faux-gated entries) Type D (Barricaded streets) Type E (Partially gated roads) Type F (Full gated roads) Type G (Restricted entry, bounded area, Type H (Restricted entry, guarded area) and type I (Condominium). Eight (8) key elements of physical and none physical characteristics which are territoriality, surveillance, milieu and image, perception of safety, physical/design condition, social capital, experiences of safety were used as parameters in describing the characteristics of the GCs in the study areas.

The result of analysis of defensible physical characteristics of the study areas concerning safety revealed that the elements when examined at the neighbourhood level shows that OBS have good defensible physical characteristics (territoriality, surveillance, milieu image), it also has a high level of perception of safety, physical/ design condition, social capital and experiences of safety at the entire neighbourhood level. The overall picture of the study areas is strengthened by the positive value of commercial activities in and around the neighbourhood which tend to aid surveillance. Measured by the physically fortified character, the number of neighbourhoods that falls into the category of GC is huge within the study areas. The respondents generally hold a positive attitude to gating. Physical gating is frequently taken as an inherent element for residential development, and naturally a must-have item within the study areas. No resident hide his/her appreciation of living in a gated or protected residence. Whilst gating is common in the residential culture of Ibadan cities, gating bears unique characteristics in response to its urban context, which is well known for a high density and high-rise.

*Sustainable Housing*
