URBAN GENTRIFICATION
Urban gentrification: the restoration of run-down urban areas by the middle class (resulting in the displacement of low-income residents).
Inner-city Sydney suburb Darlinghurst is a prime example of a suburb which has been and is currently undergoing the process of gentrification.
History
Darlinghurst's first step towards development began in 1820 when Governor Ralph Darling decided to construct a series of villas and provided 17 land grants to several of the most elite citizens in nearby regions. From then on Darlinghurst grew exponentially so that by the 1840's, despite the recession which was severely crippling encompassing districts, Darlinghurst was financially stable enough to continue work on the suburb's development to some degree mainly through the development of cheaper properties built on the outskirts of the region. Also at this point imprisoned citizens were used as free labour to tap into recently discovered sandstone reserves resulting in the material becoming a primary resource used in the construction of churches, monuments and other institutions such as the local courthouse which can still be seen today. Wind and water mills were quite common features at this point in time and one of the main elements which characterised Darlinghurst as a suburb. Blue-collar workers continued to act as the dominant employees and built small terraces around the outskirts of Darlinghurst where land remained cheap. Local authorities initiated the establishment of smaller streets connecting roads for easier public access as well as large buildings which served to act as boarding schools and hotels for contracted workers and struggling tenants. By the early 1900's Darlinghurst had built a reputation for itself based on its criminal activity involving gambling, gang wars and prostitution. However the 60's brought on a tidal wave of foreign immigrants who began to constitute a large sector of the Darlinghurst population which drastically altered not only the demographics of the region but also the interests of the community. Crime rates consequently began to drop over the commencing years and Darlinghurst began drawing in students and young workers. However in the following years buildings of factories and residences were left neglected by their occupants resulting in an overall degraded image of the suburb. Recently, the middle-class residents of Darlinghurst have been working towards the restoration of the dilapidated townhouses and warehouses.
Reasons
Darlinghurst experienced gentrification as a result of the aftermath of WW2. Many people belonging to the middle-class moved from urban city suburbs with high costs of living to the more affordable suburbs such as Darlinghurst. Most of the new inhabitants of Darlinghurst were employers belonging to tertiary industries (e.g.: architects, lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.) who valued the aesthetic appeal of their environment and hence began the movement to gentrify the derelict suburb. The middle-class began occupying the run-down residences, refurbishing them and selling them off at higher prices. This notion was mimicked by developers attracted to the region seeking investment opportunities. The result of this can be seen today in Darlinghurst with a higher living cost and townhouses and warehouses transformed into modern unit and apartment buildings.
Impacts
Darlinghurst's gentrification has its costs and benefits on the public and the physical environment. The gentrification process eliminates the lower-class residents due to the increased cost of housing which has naturally resulted in increased tension in Darlinghurst between blue-collar workers and developers. Also, many small businesses in Darlinghurst have suffered as they have started being replaced by higher end organisations which cater for the new inhabitants of the suburb. As a result Darlinghurst has become prone to demographical shifts as Darlinghurst's original occupants are forced to leave to make room for the wealthier occupants who are able to afford the higher-priced accommodations and services. On the positive side, the physical environment of Darlinghurst has become much more aesthetically appealing as more public goods are made available such as parks and also infrastructure quality has drastically improved. Another aspect working in favour of the ongoing gentrification in is when one considers the fact that culturally speaking residents of Darlinghurst have become much more diverse.
Inner-city Sydney suburb Darlinghurst is a prime example of a suburb which has been and is currently undergoing the process of gentrification.
History
Darlinghurst's first step towards development began in 1820 when Governor Ralph Darling decided to construct a series of villas and provided 17 land grants to several of the most elite citizens in nearby regions. From then on Darlinghurst grew exponentially so that by the 1840's, despite the recession which was severely crippling encompassing districts, Darlinghurst was financially stable enough to continue work on the suburb's development to some degree mainly through the development of cheaper properties built on the outskirts of the region. Also at this point imprisoned citizens were used as free labour to tap into recently discovered sandstone reserves resulting in the material becoming a primary resource used in the construction of churches, monuments and other institutions such as the local courthouse which can still be seen today. Wind and water mills were quite common features at this point in time and one of the main elements which characterised Darlinghurst as a suburb. Blue-collar workers continued to act as the dominant employees and built small terraces around the outskirts of Darlinghurst where land remained cheap. Local authorities initiated the establishment of smaller streets connecting roads for easier public access as well as large buildings which served to act as boarding schools and hotels for contracted workers and struggling tenants. By the early 1900's Darlinghurst had built a reputation for itself based on its criminal activity involving gambling, gang wars and prostitution. However the 60's brought on a tidal wave of foreign immigrants who began to constitute a large sector of the Darlinghurst population which drastically altered not only the demographics of the region but also the interests of the community. Crime rates consequently began to drop over the commencing years and Darlinghurst began drawing in students and young workers. However in the following years buildings of factories and residences were left neglected by their occupants resulting in an overall degraded image of the suburb. Recently, the middle-class residents of Darlinghurst have been working towards the restoration of the dilapidated townhouses and warehouses.
Reasons
Darlinghurst experienced gentrification as a result of the aftermath of WW2. Many people belonging to the middle-class moved from urban city suburbs with high costs of living to the more affordable suburbs such as Darlinghurst. Most of the new inhabitants of Darlinghurst were employers belonging to tertiary industries (e.g.: architects, lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.) who valued the aesthetic appeal of their environment and hence began the movement to gentrify the derelict suburb. The middle-class began occupying the run-down residences, refurbishing them and selling them off at higher prices. This notion was mimicked by developers attracted to the region seeking investment opportunities. The result of this can be seen today in Darlinghurst with a higher living cost and townhouses and warehouses transformed into modern unit and apartment buildings.
Impacts
Darlinghurst's gentrification has its costs and benefits on the public and the physical environment. The gentrification process eliminates the lower-class residents due to the increased cost of housing which has naturally resulted in increased tension in Darlinghurst between blue-collar workers and developers. Also, many small businesses in Darlinghurst have suffered as they have started being replaced by higher end organisations which cater for the new inhabitants of the suburb. As a result Darlinghurst has become prone to demographical shifts as Darlinghurst's original occupants are forced to leave to make room for the wealthier occupants who are able to afford the higher-priced accommodations and services. On the positive side, the physical environment of Darlinghurst has become much more aesthetically appealing as more public goods are made available such as parks and also infrastructure quality has drastically improved. Another aspect working in favour of the ongoing gentrification in is when one considers the fact that culturally speaking residents of Darlinghurst have become much more diverse.