|
|
|
| GENTRIFICATION AND THE SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF RECREATIONAL PLACES IN BIG CITIES |
| WANG Xing-zhong1, GAO Li2 |
1. Human Geography Institute, Xi'an International Studies University, Xi'an 710128, China;
2. Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, College of Foreign Languages and Communications, Xi'an 710021, China |
|
|
|
|
Abstract With the "Post-industry society" turn of developed countries since 1970s, gentrification has become one of the key research aspects in the field of urban problems and spatial planning in western countries. Up to now, it becomes a global social and spatial phenomenon. Gentrification is the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. Gentrification is also defined as the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value.
The causes of gentrification are debatable. Some literature suggests that it is caused by social and cultural factors such as family structure, rapid job growth, lack of housing, traffic congestion, and public-sector policies (Kennedy, 2001). Gentrification can occur on a small or large scale. For example, individual newcomers can slowly populate an area because of renovations. Conversely, large-scale redevelopment and the accompanying regeneration can cause an immediate shift in neighborhood residents. At the same time, the transition from Fordism to Post-fordism in western society reflects the social turn from traditionally production oriented to consumption oriented. And consumption also changes from commodity consumption to service consumption which includes education, health, information service, entertainment, recreation and cultural service. With the economic development, the income increases, the recreation time prolongs. In addition to the idea change, recreation plays an important role in the development of daily life and social economy. As a cultural phenomenon, recreation can reflect the production level of country, be a measurement of civilization, the outcome of human material and spiritual civilization.
Understanding the history, basic characteristics, consumption and recreational places of middle class can help us to learn about western gentrification. The more we learn from western gentrification, the more it benefits our country.
As a whole, foreign urban social geography pays more attention to the relationship between gentrification and urban social space structure. However, the research at home has not touched this aspect yet. So, the author tries to work on it.
|
|
Received: 21 October 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008, Vol. 23 
