Gentrification Analysis - Essay Example

Gentrification and Displacement of Shops Gentrification and Displacement of Shops The world is changing at an astronomical pace and alternative approaches are replacing conventional approaches of conducting our affairs. One new approach that the contemporary world is witnessing regards the changing landscape in terms of structures, which might be in residential and business areas. In this case, it is evident that the landscape is changing with new and better-constructed structures replacing the old and dilapidated structures. For this reason, we are able to witness enormous shopping malls replace old shops on a street. In addition, saloons replace bistros and bodegas while the local tailor is replaced by boutiques. This concept is gentrification, which is associated with the displacement of a section of the population. Gentrification changes the pattern of an area and displaces a section of the population, which has its own advantages and disadvantages with the result being a change of the people’s lifestyles and cultures. Redmond (2005) noted one effect of gentrification as driving up the cost of commercial space, which ensures that only the rich will afford building space. In effect, what follows is the construction of big businesses and chain stores that occupy the spaces previously occupied by small shops. These chain stores and supermarkets are both advantageous and disadvantageous to the residents. First, it is common knowledge that large chain stores and supermarkets contain all the basic supplies and amenities that humanity requires. On the other hand, the shops that used to line up the space of the gentrified area might have failed to stock all the essential supplies. In addition, the pre-gentrification residents might have been buying stock that was not fresh in comparison to the stock contained in these supermarkets and prominent chain stores. Conversely, these supermarkets provide goods at prices that were manageable to low income earners. In addition, the supermarkets make the lives of the locals more convenient since they can manage to obtain their supplies under one roof (Freeman, 2006). Furthermore, the supermarkets offer employment opportunities to the local community. In effect, this improves their livelihood and their standards of living. Moreover, the local authorities benefit from levying the supermarkets tax, which is used to improve service delivery to the local community. Additionally, local businesses will supply the supermarkets with goods, which is crucial for enhancing their growth. On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with the replacement of shops by big chain stores and supermarkets. Nonetheless, the main disadvantage is that these stores might replace shops that are representative of the culture of the gentrified people. In this case, replacing the coffee shops, bodegas, and other cultural shops with large supermarkets changes the cultural areas observed by a community with the community adopting a contemporary culture. Smith and Williams (1996) observed that housing conferred social status on people, which essentially means that the changing norms associated with gentrification are a representation of the transformation in a social hierarchy. In this regard, it is evident that the process of gentrification will bring a social mix of the population into different socioeconomic echelons, which congregates various social norms and expectations. One advantage of the changes in social norms is that people will learn about the social norms of different groups and society, which promotes cohesion and unity amongst the gentrified community. On the other hand, there are disadvantages resulting from the creation of this social mix. First, the majority of the local community, whose locality is undergoing gentrification, cannot afford the hiked cost of housing since their incomes are lower than the incomes of people moving into the community. In fact, Sternbergh (2009) notes that property owners raise rents, which eventually forces out some of the prior residents of the neighborhood who cannot afford the high rent. In addition, the social mix created by gentrification may result to polarization of the new community due to the disparities in incomes, race, education levels, and composition of the households. Furthermore, these disparities can give rise to conflicts within the new community, which has the potential of dividing the community along different social classes (Freeman, 2006). Gentrification and displacement is responsible for new social places and eateries, which replace old coffee shops and eating joints. In effect, universal franchises such as McDonald’s KFC, Starbucks, and many others replace the old coffee houses and food places. As a result, the gentrified area becomes livelier, colorful, and there is an increase in general consumption of goods and services. Ley (1994) noted that gentrification was responsible for the development of a new class of people dominated by teachers, artists, and other professionals. Furthermore, this new middle class’ needs have to be fulfilled through the creation of the ambience and environment that will enhance their lifestyles. In addition, the ambience created has to be in line with their social and economic status. Hence, international franchises will rush to set shop in the gentrified areas in order to respond to the growing needs of this new middle-class. In addition, the response by the franchises such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, and many other franchises to set shop in these gentrified areas is also a result of increase in the demand for more amenities, better quality life, and more beauty. Nonetheless, the disadvantage associated with this development is their ability to replace cultural social places like coffee shops that the pre-gentrification residents identified with and considered cultural. Briefly, every human phenomenon brings advantages and disadvantages. In a similar way, the continued development of underdeveloped neighborhoods to build modern neighborhoods has advantages as well as disadvantages. This phenomenon, known as gentrification, changes the landscape of neighborhoods and replaces old and dilapidated structures with new and magnificent structures. Consequently, the displacement of the old landscape and structures with new has some disadvantages as well as various advantages. Among the advantages resulting from gentrification, include the creation of a social mix in terms of consumption habits, race, and social strata. However, the social mix might also be disadvantageous since it may contribute to discrimination due to social strata, incomes, and race. In addition, gentrification results to high living standards and cost of living, which may ensure that the pre-gentrification residents cannot afford the high rents and cost of living. In effect, this may push them out of their residential areas. Nonetheless, the gentrified area brings with it a new level of ambience, beauty and improves the quality of life to the people despite the displacement of original cultural places. References Freeman, L. (2006). There Goes the hood: Views of Gentrification from the Ground up. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. Ley, D. (1994). “Gentrification and the politics of the new middle class.” Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 12, 53–74. Redmond, T. (1998). A City Transformed. San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20050405222042/www.sfbg.com/News/33/01/Features/intro.html Smith, N., & Williams, P. (1986). Gentrification of the City. Boston, MA: Allen & Unwin. Sternbergh, A. (2009, Dec. 11). What’s Wrong With Gentrification? New York Magazine. Retrieved from http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/62675/ Read More