Using Credit Scores to Predict and Analyze Areas of Gentrification and Urban Development in Toronto, Canada - a Geo-Spatial Approach

Abstract

This study examines the use of financial well-being indicators such as credit scores to identify gentrification. This study is a response to the redevelopment of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto through gentrification. This study also explores both theoretical and analytical frameworks outlined in literature to identify correlations between financial wellbeing indicators and gentrification. Comparing the observations in this study to areas experience gentrification such as Regent Park revealed large implications that gentrification is largely associated with financial wellbeing. The study also found that the average credit scores in the City of Toronto seem to be increasing. The analysis determined that the credit score changes reflected the development in the Regent Park development zone. Key words: Gentrification, credit scores, spatial analysis, urban development