Abstract
The purpose of this study is three fold. Firstly, to provide a historical as well as an up to-date account of the temporal journey of the gated communities through various phases of human civilization. Secondly, to analyze the dynamic role played by them in bringing about social integration or otherwise in the urban fabric of developed countries as well as developing countries during primary, secondary civilizations; and also to conceptualize their anticipated role during the incipient high tech tertiary civilization. Thirdly, to study the impact and challenges of gated communities for sustainable development. The time-series analysis of the dynamics of the gated communities will be carried out with the help of both the published data about the gated communities at large, as well as a case study of the city of Lahore (Pakistan).