Gentrification is a process of renovation and revival of deteriorated urban neighbourhoods which results from an influx of more affluent residents, a related increase in rents and property values, changes in the districts character and culture. Gentrification is generally seen by some as a negative and controversial topic, suggesting the displacement of low- income families and small businesses. Others see it as an increase in an area’s economy and a revitalisation of the built environment. In this essay I will be addressing whether gentrification does help or hinder low income, urban communities using references from contemporary examples such as New York City and London, I will outline both positive and negative impacts of gentrification …show more content…
However, there are many underlying issues with gentrification. It presents a number of substantial problems. Gentrification deteriorates the position of low income families as on many occasions they will have to move from their original low income working class community, which are now inhibited by people of a higher class to a new destination which can have a catastrophic effect on social schedule’s and work patterns. Therefore, resulting in low income families finding themselves subjected to a decreased standard of living than they had previously enjoyed prior to gentrification, resulting from their economic position becoming inferior. What is more important about gentrification is widening the gap between the rich and the poor as the poor subsequently become poorer and the rich become richer. In such a situation gentrification of low class urban environments can undermine the foundation of modern cities as it creates an unsurpassable barrier between the lower and upper classes living in the cities. This in fact could create more serious social tensions which may not only affect the low income families of the poverty stricken areas but also of other communities inhabited by all classes, therefore creating more issues there were in the first place. Due to the current and possibly future issues of gentrification on low income, urban communities, I believe it harms the neighbourhoods rather than help