Evaluation of the quality of life based on architecture in gated communities: Istanbul example

After 1980, social, cultural political and economical developments have been effective on changes in organization and meaning of space. New life style, came along with these developments led to new consumption habits, more qulified life style and new environments, also to the change of old ones. Housing, where people spend their daily lives was effected by this period of change. So, gated communities have appeared. Regarding their numbers in the city, their size and their population, these gated communities have been considered worth investigating with their certain life style and limited relations with the city. Due to its position and features, Istanbul is selected as the work space. In this study, a research model focused on quality of life has been developed. This model has two sub-models: ?quality evaluation? and ?housing satisfaction?. In quality evaluation model, positive and negative parameters effecting the quality of life are revealed. As a result of the evaluation, in gated communities, comfort conditions are provided better than the other characteristics. Housing satisfaction model presents quality of life, determined according to users? assessment and effective factors. Primarily, housing units in gated communities are found more positive than the other specialities. Housing increases people?s expectations towards developing the current situations and providing various possibilities.