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Segregation and seclusion: the case of compounds for western expatriates in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

In discussions on the “fragmented city” and the boom of private and guarded neighbourhoods, several authors have stressed the importance of a growing differentiation of lifestyles and “cultural” orientations for this trend. The compounds for western foreigners in Saudi Arabia are explicitly based on the idea of a spatial seclusion of social groups with different “cultural” backgrounds. This study presents an overview of the development of these western enclaves. Narrative interviews with former expatriates provide insights into their daily life, their social relations within the compound, and to the Saudi Arabia behind the gates.

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Notes

  1. See for example Gulf News, 16 November 2003: Foreign workforce edgy after suicide bombings in Riyadh. Katar Gulf Times 9 November 2003: Terrorist bombers strike Riyadh compound. Süddeutsche Zeitung, 9 November 2003: Mehrere Tote bei Bombenanschlägen in Riad.

  2. The interviews were conducted and transcribed in French and German—citations in the text have been translated to English.

  3. One of the biggest German construction companies.

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  1. Department of Geography, University of Mainz, 55099, Mainz, Germany

    Georg Glasze

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  1. Georg Glasze
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Correspondence to Georg Glasze.

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Glasze, G. Segregation and seclusion: the case of compounds for western expatriates in Saudi Arabia. GeoJournal 66, 83–88 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-006-9018-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-006-9018-z

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