Gentrification: Meaning, Typology from the Global West to the Global East

Abstract

Gentrification is a phenomenon that has occurred in many locations around the world; the effects can be both positive and negative. One factor that causes gentrification is the acquisition of land or buildings in urban areas. This can create physical and social changes to residential neighborhoods by effectively pushing out the existing residents to accommodate the more affluent developments on the basis of wealth, capital or class including policy developments. This article aims to study the definition and typology of the gentrification phenomena. The gentrification phenomena can be divided into three periods. From the 1960s to the1970s, gentrification was seen as a social phenomenon that led to displacement;              a defecto struggle between the working class and higher classes. In the Second wave, 1970-1990, gentrification is used to describe the regeneration and development of deteriorating/ declining cities. The Third wave, 1990-present, finds that the term is generally used to describe the development of large-scale new real estate projects in the inner cities. The purpose of these projects is to develop the aesthetics of tourism-responsive areas perhaps driven by neoliberal views of “Beauty”. The definition of gentrification has now been expanded to other aspects. In conclusion, this paper suggests that green gentrification and heritage gentrification are guidelines that should be studied and applied to neighborhoods to avoid and reduce the effects of the negative connotations of the common understanding of the term “Gentrification”. It also suggests its implementation in Thailand; (as well as further research), should focus on the issue of Class struggle, the displacement of people and the effects on people affected by the phenomena.