Gentrification - Notting Hill

Question 1

Gentrification

Answer 1

The buying and renovation of houses and shops in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper/middle income people, thus improving property values but often displacing low income families and small businesses

Question 2

Notting Hill stats

Answer 2

. Median age 36 (UK 39)
. Educated to degree level 45% (UK 19%)
. Total migrants 13% (UK 12%)
. Average price for 3 bedroom house £1.1 million (UK £178,000)
. % in socially rented housing 38% (UK 18%)
. Growth of house prices in past 5 years 30% (UK 4%)

Question 3

Pioneer

Answer 3

. Initial stage consists of a small group of risk-oblivious pioneers who buy and renovate properties in previously described urban areas for their own personal use
. Very little displacement occurs at this stage since the pioneer gentrifiers obtain housing that is vacant or part of the normal market turnover
. This group of newcomers consists largely of design professionals and artists who have the skill and time to undertake such renovation projects

Question 4

Is it all good?

Answer 4

. It’s extremely expensive
. Average standard of living is still low, the streets are filled with litter and the buildings are covered with graffiti
. Some parts are just overpriced and overcrowded

Question 5

Gentrification changes in area

Answer 5

. Average income of communities increases while the number of children decreases
. Run down properties are converted into family homes
. Former lower income residents may be forced out of the area due to increased rents and house prices
. Factories may close as land is redeveloped for housing, so jobs are lost
. New businesses, such as restaurants catering for more affluent customers, tend to emerge
. Local residents may not be able to afford the new attractions

Question 6

Mature gentrification

Answer 6

. Second wave gentrification where upper and middle class buy the renovated houses
. Increase in middle class businesses
. Pressure for landlords to sell so displacement of renters due to pressure to buy from current landlords

Question 7

How is gentrification different to other forms of redevelopment

Answer 7

. Urban dispacd are often from ethnic communities

. Affordable housing a commercial space become increasingly scarce and inhabitants are displaced

Question 8

Evidence of gentrification in Notting Hill

Answer 8

. Evidence of renovation e.g.safeholding, building work
. Houses appear well maintained and free from peeling paint
. Use of heritage colours e.g. Victorian
. Increased local funding in newer funding and street signs
. Additional services like private nursaries

Question 9

Super-gentrification

Answer 9

The conversion process of prosperous, already gentrified and solid upper-middle-class neighborhoods into much more expensive and exclusive enclaves

Question 10

Examples of super gentrification

Answer 10

. Islington in London

. Brooklyn Heights in New York

Question 11

Issues

Answer 11

. Not interested in history or being part of a community