Defending Communities : An Analysis of Anti-Gentrification Measures

Abstract: Gentrification is a controversial phenomenon. Some are in favor of the process as a means of urban revaluation and creator of a social mix while others condemn it as a strategy that only benefits one group: the (upper) middle class. Moreover, gentrification’s emergence is a controversial topic. While some researchers describe it as a policy and therefore a political agenda, others claim it is a shift of the market and thus a basic economic happening in the urban environment. However, observers are united by the opinion that gentrification needs to be controlled and negative impacts for residents need to be prevented. Two of such anti-gentrification measures used in London and Berlin shall be analyzed. Do they feature any potential weaknesses that could diminish their competence? Thus, essential actions against gentrification will be summarized, including improvements of the measures, which will be based on policies, activism and concepts of housing. However, it is to be identified how successfully the anti-gentrification measures are applied in these cities? An analysis of the measure’s publicity shall highlight the citizens knowledge about these methods as it is required for a successful application.