The Hidden Dimensions of Culture and Class: Philadelphia

The Early Gentrifier: Weaving a Nostalgia Narrative on the Lower East Side

“…An understudied facet of gentrification is the cultural impacts of its commercial developments. Commercial gentrification refers to new establishments with particular goods and services—such as clothing boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and bars—that open to satisfy the needs of middle‐class gentrifiers (Deener 2007; Levy and Cybriwsky 1980; Lloyd 2006; Patch 2008; Zukin et al 2009). It has a mutually reinforcing relationship with residential gentrification in that these businesses also attract new residents (Chernoff 1980).…”

“…Social displacement refers to “the replacement of one group by another…in terms of prestige and power…the ability to affect decisions and policies…to set goals and priorities, and to be recognized by outsiders as the legitimate spokesman for the area” (Chernoff 1980: 204; see also Martin 2007). Cultural displacement refers to the replacement of a group's everyday way of life in the neighborhood with that of another (Jackson 2003; Levy and Cybriwsky 1980; Pattillo 2007). Both forms of displacement threaten the local identities of existing residents.…”

“…Many gentrification studies focus on existing, working‐class, low‐income residents and their perspectives toward new residents and businesses (Jackson 2003; Levy and Cybriwsky 1980; Pattillo 2007; Perez 2004; Smith 1996). Others have looked at a broad array of gentrifiers (i.e., artists, social preservationists, gays and lesbians, Whites and Blacks, and owners of boutiques and cafes) and focused on their reasons for moving into and opening up businesses in the neighborhood as well as their perspectives toward and relationships with existing residents (Brown‐Saracino 2009; Butler 1997; Caulfield 1994; Deener 2007; Lloyd 2006; Patch 2008; Pattillo 2007; Rose 1984; Sibalis 2004).…”

A Gentrification Research Agenda for the 1990S

“…The most obvious example is the conversion of a blue collar neighborhood with front stoop awnings and screen doors to a white collar historically correct streetscape. Both communities might coexist during periods of transition with greater or lesser degrees of conflict (Levy & Cybriwsky, 1980). The point is that community and conflict cannot be separated in the study of gentrification, just as it is impossible to separate the production of urban space from its consumption by gentrifiers.…”

Neighbourhood Change in New York: The Loft Conversion Process

“…This is just one consequence of the process of displacement which almost invariably accompanies gentrification. The rate of housing turnover in some gentrifying neighbourhoods is as high as 50% in one year (Levy & Cybriwsky 1980). Yet all too frequently the existence of displacement is denied or its significance dismissed, particularly by those who favour neighbourhood renovation.…”