Gentrification Fuels Alienation Among East Asian Urban Residents, Study Finds

Gentrification Fuels Alienation Among East Asian Urban Residents, Study Finds
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 04, 2024

Gentrification is transforming neighborhoods in East Asia, reshaping urban communities into hubs for affluent residents while driving longtime residents to feel disconnected, according to a new study by researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the University of Ljubljana. As formerly affordable areas undergo changes designed to attract higher-income residents, the result is often a profound sense of alienation for those who remain.

The study, recently published in 'The Developing Economies', explores the effects of two different models of urban renewal in Seoul, South Korea: state-led urban regeneration and property-driven redevelopment by the private sector. Dr. Kon Kim from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Dr. Blaz Kriznik from the University of Ljubljana analyzed the neighborhoods of Sangwangsimni and Changsin-Sungin, revealing both direct and indirect forms of resident displacement.

"In Sangwangsimni, redevelopment led to residential gentrification, directly displacing residents and replacing industrial clusters with large-scale high-rise residential buildings," explained Dr. Kim. "This stands in contrast to Changsin-Sungin, where state-led regeneration allowed residents to stay, preserving and partially revitalizing the existing industrial area."

However, while Changsin-Sungin's residents remained in their neighborhood, many experienced indirect displacement - an emotional sense of disconnection and powerlessness as their surroundings evolved. One resident described feeling like "an animal in a zoo" as tourists photographed her at work in her sewing factory, though she could not imagine leaving the area that had long been her home.

Another interviewee expressed mixed feelings about the changes. "It made me feel the kind of classy vibe of this place that never existed before," the resident commented. "This is good for me because the new vibe sometimes lets me refresh my mind instantly. However, I heard that new shop owners are trying to buy other buildings and expand similar businesses. I love a few classy shops for refreshment, but do not want them overspreading our neighborhood."

Dr. Kim highlighted that the study sheds light on indirect and symbolic displacement as an overlooked aspect of gentrification in East Asia. He emphasized the importance of considering both tangible and intangible factors in neighborhood transformation to inform more equitable urban policies.

"The motivation behind our study stems from the long-standing issue of displacement in South Korea's urban development," said Dr. Kim. "We aimed to address the gap in understanding these emerging forms of displacement, which are less visible but still deeply impactful, even as direct eviction has decreased over the past decade."

Looking ahead, Dr. Kim and Dr. Kriznik plan to expand their research to examine the role of grassroots movements and state-civil society interactions in resisting gentrification across East Asia. By focusing on these community responses, they hope to foster a better understanding of how more inclusive urban environments can be achieved.