See-through fencing, lots of street activity and no solid walls are the ways to reduce crime in residential areas, according to Johannesburg's new policy on boomed suburbs. 

The new "security access restrictions" policy, to be launched this week, aims to get tough on gated communities by beefing up application criteria and requiring regular renewal. 

And it's about time, say commentators. 

Common complaints are that gated communities cause traffic snarl-ups and block emergency vehicles.

There is no evidence that they even improve property values. 

Critics agree that high, solid walls "cauterise" suburbs, hinder interaction between neighbours and prevent effective security surveillance. 

The policy states: "Boundary walls that prevent observation between the street and properties are undesirable and inhibit observation of criminal activity." 

Some estate agents agree. 

"You can understand residents wanting to protect their children and homes, but booms restrict good movement as well as bad movement," points out Ronald Ennik, MD of estate agency Pam Golding Properties. 

The new policy aims to police measures that communities take to discourage access . It includes traffic-calming measures, guards and guard houses. 

Ennik says buyers are wary of paying a premium for properties in a gated community when a boom may be temporary.

"Buyers don't ask for properties in gated suburbs nearly as much as you'd think," he says.  He argues that boomed suburbs have not taken market share from prime suburbs without booms. 

Security measures that get the thumbs-up from the city include secure property boundaries, burglar alarms, see-through fences like palisades and armed response.

Townhouse complexes and flat blocks should overlook the street and pedestrian traffic and street activity will be encouraged.  The city says that access-controlled residential and commercial estates are fine unless "they become so large that they interfere with general mobility". 

But the city plans to discourage high walls; and the lengthy and detailed application process to erect a boom may deter most communities.

For a start, at least 80% of residents will have to support the closure and there will be a fixed and nonrefundable application cost of R6 200.

If the city has to readvertise the closure, there's an extra fee of R5 200. 

Gated communities will have to reapply every two years, whatever form of access restriction they use. 

"Residents in gated communities could react negatively to tougher policy, but lots of people will be relieved when the booms come down," says Ennik.