Place Attachment and Alienation from Place: Cultural Displacement in Gentrifying Ethnic Enclaves

Abstract

Commercial gentrification often accompanies residential gentrification. Both processes contribute to the real or perceived threat of displacement for longtime residents of ethnic enclaves experiencing gentrification. Cultural displacement is a related concern among residents who may experience a declining sense of ownership, control, or belonging as newer residents and commercial establishments move into their communities. Yet, other longtime residents experience an increased sense of safety as their neighborhoods gentrify and they may appreciate the new amenities gentrification brings. I highlight the symbolic significance of local businesses in gentrifying neighborhoods and identify two different patterns of longtime residents experiencing their communities as something alien to them—a phenomenon I call alienation from place. Alienation from place may be a product of social and cultural displacement or may be alleviated by changes to a neighborhood accompanying gentrification processes, a posteriori alienation from place and a priori alienation from place, respectively.

Innovating Methodologies for Examining Gentrification-Induced Social and Cultural Displacement: An Illustration of Integrating Photovoice into Story Map

“…(p. 711)Accordingly, space and place are interrelated and play a central role in shaping social relations, sense of belonging, and identity. Space (i.e., a geographic concept) transforms to place (i.e., a meaningful locale) through individuals’ associations, interactions, and self-identifications with spaces (Foster et al 2015; Tuttle 2022; Ujang and Zakariya 2015).…”

On place and privilege: Varieties of affluence in cities and neighborhoods

“…For longtime residents of gentrifying areas, changes to residential, public, and commercial spaces can result in material and symbolic exclusion , deriving from increased prices and feelings of alienation, respectively (Tuttle, 2021; also see Atkinson, 2015; Davidson, 2009). Within commercial spaces, residents and shoppers assess whether these places are appropriate for people of their class backgrounds.…”

Conceptualizing Gentrification-Induced Social and Cultural Displacement and Place Identity Among Longstanding Black Residents

“… a Ravuri (2020). b Valli (2015). c Chatman (2017). d K. S. Shaw and Hagemans (2015). e Alvaré (2017). f Howell (2018). g King and Lowe (2018). h Helmuth (2019). i Zimmer (2022). j Hyra (2015). k Davidson (2009). l Tuttle (2022). m Ujang (2012). n Qazimi (2014). …”

“…As culturally irrelevant commercial establishments and White newcomers encroach upon Black neighborhoods, historically Black spaces are transformed into White spaces (Helmuth, 2019; Zimmer, 2022). This encroachment of Black spaces is theorized as contributing to longstanding Black residents’ social and cultural displacement because of their lost sense of control over their neighborhoods (Hyra, 2015; Tuttle, 2022).…”

“…Longstanding Black residents’ experiences are theorized as contributing to social and cultural displacement . Social and cultural displacement is conceptualized as residents’ sense of alienation (Tuttle, 2022) from the historical, sociocultural fabric of their communities. Although attention has previously been given to gentrification’s social and cultural impacts, this model advances knowledge by providing a nuanced understanding of longstanding Black residents’ experiences, specifically within a hegemonic U.S. context.…”