Describe the process of gentrification and how it can impact the local community.

The process of gentrification involves developing run down or sometimes neglected areas to make them more desirable. Gentrification can happen organically by residents improving their homes and businesses opening new shops there, or it can be done from a top down approach where city councils improve the area. The process is usually a gradual one that comes in different stages, firstly new people are attracted to the area due to housing or amenities and then more people follow suit which consequently means more businesses set up there to cash in on the new influx of people; eventually 'super-gentrification' can occur where rent prices become very high and residents earn very high wages e.g. Barnsbury in London.

The impacts on the local community can be positive and negative. Attracting wealthier residents can contribute to the economic status of the neighbourhood, this helps the area to continue to gentrify. Consequently amenities are improved and crime is reduced which creates a better quality of life for residents. Furthermore, businesses become attracted to the area which creates jobs and contributes economically. However, there are also negatives which accompany gentrification, for example the inequality of wealth between the new residents and old residents can create tension, some residents may be forced to move as rent prices rise too much, and those that remain may feel excluded in their own neighbourhood. The neighbourhood can also lose its identity as it becomes increasingly similar to other gentrified places, such as Notting Hill and the surrounding area in London where the houses and streets look very similar.