Rowland Atkinson

Year of publication: 2002

A systematic review of research literature on gentrification impacts specifically focused on neighbourhood impacts.

Atkinson finds positive impacts from gentrification, including neighbourhood renewal, reduced crime, increased social mix and stabilisation of declining areas. Evidence shows negative effects around rising crime, and displacement of residents causing social, economic and psychological issues. Loss of affordability and increasing division within neighbourhoods are also identified issues. The review concludes that the majority of evidence on gentrification identifies negative impacts.

These results are then interpreted alongside the wider context of the British urban renaissance agenda of the late 1990s/early 2000s, which stressed the need for social mix in cities through encouraging middle classes back to the city.

The paper concludes that gentrification has never been a cure-all for Britain’s towns and cities but nor is it clear that gentrification will actually emanate from the Government’s policy agenda.

Content type: Placemaking

Tags: Report

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