AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities

Gentrification

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

What is gentrification? (1)

   The rehabilitation/renewal of a deteriorated neighbourhood by new residents who are wealthier than the long-time residents. This can cause an increase in house prices and lead to the displacement of the long-time residents It is small-scale and incremental, and instigated by individual people It is often accompanied by landscape and street furniture improvements

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

What is gentrification? (2)

‘A stroll along Bellevue Road, Wandsworth and its surrounding streets offers a taste of a process that has been happening all over London. Gone are the working classes and the establishments that served them. Bellevue Road now has delicatessens, wine bars, picture galleries, alfresco diners and estate agents.

Streets once lined with Escorts and Astras now sport Jeep Cherokees and convertible Alfa Romeos. During the week, nannies and au pairs look after the children of merchant bankers, advertising executives and new media professionals who have all played some part in the transformation of the area into “Bellevue Village”.’

Tom Slater

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Where has it spread?

In South London, following the course of the Northern Line is like following the path of gentrification. It started in Clapham North in the late 1980s and is now sweeping through Tooting on a seemingly endless march towards Morden in Surrey at the end of the line.

Houses near Tooting Broadway have doubled in price in 2 years, and there are new services — trendy cafes, bars, delicatessens and health and fitness clubs.

The Northern Line in South London

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Notting Hill

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Notting Hill: a brief history

      Although the place is now a bustling urban area, in the mid-eighteenth century it was a country hamlet, known for its gravel pits and roadside inns, which proved a magnet for highwaymen The unpopular tollgate, which gave the main road its name, appeared at this time Industrialisation brought workers in from the countryside, with landlords building tiny terraced houses to rent to the poor In Victorian times, Notting Hill was a rough, working-class area and by the 1950s the area had become synonymous with slum landlords and inner-city deprivation In 1958, it was the scene of race riots after tensions arose between the newly arrived Afro-Caribbean community and the teddy boys of the fascist British Union A second riot took place during the infamous Notting Hill Carnival of 1976

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Notting Hill: now

   The past 30 years have seen a steady northwards swarm of gentrification, with estate agents coining names like ‘Hillgate Village’ for previously working-class neighbourhoods, sending property prices rocketing Houses can cost more here than in ultra-upmarket Mayfair Notting Hill’s secluded communal gardens, sandwiched between the rows of houses and scarcely visible from the street, make it London’s most desirable area for families

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Who’s responsible?

   Notting Hill, the movie, helped popularise the area, but gentrification was underway long beforehand Movie stars, rock singers, media types and fashion designers (such as Stella McCartney) are flooding into the area, which has acquired the sort of atmosphere associated with King’s Road, Chelsea, in the 1960s The Canal Way branch of Sainsbury’s near the Ladbroke Grove tube station is now said to be one of the best places in London to spot celebrities

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Notting Hill: the best places to eat, drink and be merry…

     Veronica’s — this place devotes itself to reviving Britain’s culinary heritage, serving historical dishes derived from 2,000-year-old menus The Westbourne Pub — with its trendy crowds Lazy Daisy Café — famous for its delicious puddings and cakes Sausage and Mash The Golbourne Road area — well known for its Portuguese and Moroccan eateries and the infamous Trellick Tower

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Trellick Tower (1)

   Trellick Tower was Britain’s biggest apartment block when it was built in 1973 and for many years it epitomised everything that was wrong with Modernist high-rise buildings Stories abounded of women being raped in lifts, children being attacked by heroin addicts and squatters setting fire to flats It was built by Hungarian-born architect Erno Goldfinger. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, found Goldfinger’s work so distasteful that he named the novel and classic villain after him

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Trellick Tower (2)

   Since the installation of a concierge and extra security, the tower’s reputation has been transformed The Trellick Tower is now something of a style icon, becoming a Grade II listed building in 1998 It is considered quite a ‘trendy’ address

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

The Portobello Road

  The Portobello Road is the world’s most famous market — it is really several markets one after the other and you can buy just about anything there — people have been doing so since 1837 The market (known locally as ‘the lane’) serves up three experiences: antiques to the south, fruit and vegetables in the middle, and second-hand clothing, bedding and bits and bobs to the north

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Notting Hill Carnival

   Notting Hill has a large Caribbean population and the 3-day carnival is held over the last Bank Holiday weekend of August It is the largest street festival outside Rio de Janeiro, attended by over 1 million people Revellers are drawn in by the colour, people, food, huge sound systems pumping out Caribbean music, dancing and a riotous all day street party during the grand parade of floats

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

Is it all good? Some quotes

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‘No — the truth is, it’s extremely expensive and those who are not rich are very poor.’ ‘The average standard of living is still low, the streets are filled with litter and the buildings are covered with graffiti.’ ‘Some parts are just an overpriced and overcrowded bedsit land.’ ‘Very over-rated as a living area…that film…if I ever meet Hugh Grant, I’m going to punch him!’

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AQA A2 Geography: The human options

World cities: Gentrification

The good and the bad

Positive

Stabilisation of declining areas Increased property values Reduced vacancy rates Reduction of urban sprawl Increased social mix Decreased crime Refurbishment of property

Negative

Displacement through rent/price increases Community resentment and conflict Loss of affordable housing Homelessness Speculative property price increases Changes to local services

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