Beyond Displacement: Political-Gentefiers Planning Their Barrio and Claiming Space Ownership

Abstract

This study underscores the impact of Latino-led commercial gentrification on the political and cultural empowerment of the Latino community. The study is based on interviews, observations, and document analysis in Barrio Logan, San Diego. I propose the concept of “ political Gentefiers” and map activism patterns through which Latino gentrifiers engage in urban politics and planning. Although Latino gentrifiers enhance the community’s political and cultural power, their activity generates ambivalence among residents and gives rise to controversial local politics. The research findings shed light on Latino gentrifiers’ conflicting positionalities and roles in the processes of gentrification and the multiple inequalities in the Barrio.