Abstract
Gentrification is a current and often debated concept that concerns social changes in our cities. The concept relates to a development whereby areas earlier inhabited by less wealthy social groups are taken over by middle and upper middle-class residents. In the discussions of these changes, two perspectives have dominated. Representatives for the consumer perspective argue that gentrification occurs as a result of consumption preferences in the middle class. Representatives of the producer perspective argue that inner city areas are gentrified as a result of the movement of capital. In the article it is discussed whether it is possible to use the concept of gentrification, and ifthe conflicting perspectives can be tested, in a non-capitalistic setting. The case-study focuses on the changes in the social topography of the town of Malmö, at the time the second largest town in Denmark. The main issues investigated are whether these changes were produced within the feudal structures, how consumer preferences and agency interacted, and the relations between agency and structural constraints.
Highlights
A Feudal Way to Gentrify?Gentrification is a current and often debated concept that concerns social changes in our cities
The case-study focuses on the changes in the social topography of the town of Malmö, at the time the second largest town in Denmark
As I see it, gentrification can be described as changes in urban social topography whereby areas earlier inhabited by poorer segments of the population start to be settled by more wealthy persons
Summary
Gentrification is a current and often debated concept that concerns social changes in our cities. Representatives of the producer perspective argue that inner city areas are gentrified as a result of the movement of capital In the article it is discussed whether it is possible to use the concept of gentrification, and i fthe conflicting perspectives can be tested, in a non-capitalistic setting. The inner city-areas decreased in value, because the built structures constrained favourable investments with high returns (in relation to the suburbs where the prices increased and the returns of investments were high) ) capitalized under the present land use (Smith 1996:87; Fig. 1b) Under these circumstances, an investor can purchase the structure, invest in rebuilding, pay mortgage loans, and sell the end product for a price that gives a defensible return the capital, not the suburbanites, moves back into the inner city (Smith 1996:88). An interesting point of the following case-study is to consider the relations between the perspectives of production and consumption in a non-capitalistic setting, emanating and developed during feudal circumstances
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
