We began this weeks class with a TEDtalk that discussed the harmful effects of gentrification and the broader lack of knowledge surrounding these repercussions. It was noted that the general perception of gentrification as merely neighbourhood improvement is inherently simplistic, and that the while physical redevelopment of a place correlates with gentrification, it is more defined by processes of social hierarchy where those with higher income or status seek to relocate or invest in low income neighbourhoods. The primary motivation here is to capitalise on low property values, which then bumps up their value and in doing so, fundamentally alters the character and culture of the neighbourhood. The talk essentially contends that gentrification can be seen as a manifestation of inequality that plays out in a neighbourhood setting. At a more extreme level, racial inequality within communities can be attributed to gentrification, particularly in the US where tensions can arise from the influx of white people in places largely occupied by POC communities. Displacement can then become a by-product of gentrification, resulting in pockets of protective units cropping up around neighbourhoods so that these people can remain in ‘place’. Exclusionary displacement refers to the isolation people may feel when friends and family are displaced, or the discomfort of not being able to fit in with the influx of new restaurants and boutiques they can’t afford. Over time, even people in these protective units decide to leave because their neighbourhood and community starts to feel unfamiliar. The speaker eventually contends that gentrification is fundamentally a social justice problem. I found this talk particularly engaging, perhaps because of its relevance to the research I did for the Preston Market and my vested interest in its preservation.
Redevelopers are truly capitalising on whatever space they can, and generally this comes with a total disregard for the social and cultural implications of their development. The speaker proposed that we need to devise strategies to help eliminate gentrification, but I think that realistically the primary interest is economic benefits rather than social ones meaning gentrification will continue to occur. I found a lot of the concepts discussed in the talk to be relevant with the Preston Market, especially displacement given that if the redevelopment goes through, many of the migrant traders will be forcibly evicted. I believe the success of their businesses are situational and have been able to flourish within the context of the Preston Market, and that these businesses would likely struggle to thrive elsewhere due to the owners familiarity with the neighbourhood and the loyalty they’ve built with local customers. While there are some benefits to be gained from redevelopment and consequently gentrification, such as the modernisation and rejuvenation of old sites, it can come with the loss of a location’s cultural or historical significance. It raises questions of what we value most as a society; is it the preservation of a diversity of history and culture or the physical reinvigoration and consequential homogenisation of modern communities?
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