What is Gentrification?

Ask what gentrification is and you'll get a different answer most every time and sometimes even from the same person. The reason is that gentrification is a very context-dependent concept, conjuring-up images both positive and negative. It is about revitalization of a neighbourhood's original character and gradual urban change, but it is also a topic that frequently initiates discussions about homelessness. According to David Ley, upon whom we relied for better understanding of the subject, gentrification is an impetus for increases in dwelling costs and social upgrading. However, change is slow and done on small scales, thereby maintaining the cohesiveness of and support provided by communities while individuals are adjusting to the changes. Nevertheless, change does occur, both to the landscape and to social make-up of gentrifying neighbourhoods.

It is our hope to capture gentrification pattern and process changes in Vancouver since 1990, make colourful spatial representations of them, compare our findings to local knowledge as well as previous research and, ultimately, determine whether past trends can be predictive of the future ones.

When Gentrification Started
One thing gentrification is not is massive redevelopment. In fact, it began as a backlash response to the bulldozing of whole neighborhoods that was occurring in the 1950s. Around the turn of the century, local working class districts lived in tight-knit communities within walking distance of employment. Many worked in trades that supported railways, shipyards, and manufacturing and therefore, most were located not far from the waterfront. In post-war years, environmental degradation and poverty converged upon inner cities. In Vancouver, many areas with mixed ethnicities were considered to have exotic populations that were perceived to give an additional menacing feeling to those degrading areas. Those same communities then became stereotyped to be "slums behind the industrial waterfront" and the focus in urban planning shifted to one of complete urban renewal. Without warning, bulldozers arrived and ploughed-down vast areas and, in Vancouver, this occurred on a large scale in Chinatown as well as the West-end (Ley, 2000).

In the early 1960s two American social planners, Jane Jacobs and Herbert Gans, "severely challenged the dominant wisdom" saying that age of structures and population density could be assets. They encouraged revitalization of heritage building architecture as well as the bond between workplace and home. This explains why gentrification occurs near the downtown core, especially at its most affordable fringes. Jacobs' and Gans' vision to celebrate the "diversity, exuberance and cosmopolitan character of the inner city" was presented in a National Film Board of Canada documentary in 1971 greatly impacting how our cities have evolved (Ley, 2000).

Gentrification in Vancouver
In Vancouver, gentrification has followed many of the patterns and processes described in previous research. In fact, it was one of cities studied by Dr. Ley, thereby contributing to overall research in this field. It will be interesting to see whether descriptions of gentrification from earlier research persist and can be revealed in our analysis of very recent data.
The gentrification of Vancouver expanded from Kitsilano (see Figure 1) in the 1960s to an area a little bit east, called False Creek South, in the 1970 (Ley, 2000). The mid-80s brought Expo 86 to the Westcoast and began the development of the Yaletown area, followed by additional development east into Strathocona and the Commercial Drive areas. It is noteworthy to mention that Vancouver's west is a peninsula, much of which is allotted to the University of British Columbia and neighbouring affluent communities. These wealthier communities (Shaughnessy) were established in the early 1900s because they have slightly higher elevations and could escape the low-lying pollution caused by coal burning.

Process and Stages of Gentrification
Gentrification is a process of gradual upgrading of the manmade landscape and up-scaling of some of the societal parameters, associated with ability earn a higher income. It occurs in areas of specific qualities, goes through stages, and has inhabitants of particular qualities during each stage. Early gentrifiers, those that begin the process, choose to renovate previous industrial land or older stock houses. They tend to not have large incomes and are typically artists or educated in liberal arts. They may need affordable housing, but also seek homes because they want neighbourhoods that have unique and interesting architecture while still being close to the city center and associated cultural activities. Some would describe these "urban pioneers" as being slightly radical in their alternative lifestyle choices, at least by Western standards because they tend to value such things as vegetarianism or ascribing to non-Christian religions.

As a neighbourhood is revitalized and upgraded by the cultural capital these people bring, the area eventually draws more people and more money. More money is often equated to increased education level and more individuals employed as professionals or managers. This leads to middle-stage gentrification when there is measurable up-scaling of social indices followed by notable increase in dwelling costs. The latter stages of gentrification begin to transform the area into one no longer affordable for the pioneers and they move to the next most desirable area and begin a similar process again.