Influence of the selected minority group on gentrification of Chicago neighborhood Edgewater

Abstract

As the world became more globalized place, big cities became social self-sustained ecosystems. Constant change of cities is an essential part of its charm, but also a possible problem. Changes of urban cities with worst connotation are gentrification and gentrification is the cause of segregation on so many levels. This paper analyzes what factors led to the process of gentrification of the Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois (USA). The main goal is to discover the possible causes of a gentrification’s paths and its influence on changing urban neighborhoods. This paper uses the example of Edgewater and the influence of the LGBT community on the neighborhood gentrification. Using theories and methodology of urban sociology, it identifies Edgewater as a ‘gayborhood’, analyzes factors of the creation of such a community, its specific culture and symbolic representation. Finally, it questions the exploitation of this specific culture as a base for symbolic economy, growth machine and gentrification of the neighborhood.