Case study

What is Gentrification?

The term was coined by sociologist Ruth Glass, who is quoted below.

"One by one, many of the working class quarters of London have been invaded by the middle-classes—upper and lower. Shabby, modest mews and cottages—two rooms up and two down—have been taken over, when their leases have expired, and have become elegant, expensive residences .... Once this process of 'gentrification' starts in a district it goes on rapidly until all or most of the original working-class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed." 

-Ruth Glass (1964)

Many neighborhoods in the downtown core have gone through this process over the last 20 years. Leslieville, the junction, Ossington Ave. and more recently Moss Park. Some people argue that gentrification is needed in order to breathe new life into neglected areas of the city while others believe that it is the prime cause for the lack of affordable housing in Toronto.

 Many restaurateurs rely on “emerging” neighborhoods in order to be able to get a foot hold in the industry. Relying on affordable rents and the prospect of being one of the first to open a restaurant in a cool neighborhood

Read the article in the link provided and answer the following questions.  

1. Describe what you believe gentrification to be. What are the pros and cons of gentrification and give examples (2) of areas outside of Ontario that have gone through the process and how were these areas affected.


2. Do you believe that the gentrification Saint-Henri is experiencing is inevitable and should be embraced as a form of urban renewal or do you agree with the 1 in 6 rule? Explain your answer.


3. Pick an area of The GTA that you believe has gone through the process of gentrification and explain the changes in the area that prove your assertion. Provide demographic evidence of this change. You may use the demographics link as a starting point.

Guardian Article:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/nov/16/one-in-six-rule-can-montreal-canada-fight-gentrification-banning-restaurants 

Toronto Demographics link

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/ 

Rubric RATING SCALE 0 – 5 0– Does not meet the requirement, information missing, and no evidence of criterion. 2– Does not meet the requirement, little evidence of the criterion. 3– Meets the requirement, beginning or some evidence of the criterion. 4 – Meets the requirements, detailed and consistent evidence of the criterion. 5 – Exceeds requirements, accurate, creative or mature evidence of the criterion. SCORING GUIDE • Assignment is well organized and professionally presented. /10 • Assignment uses correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. /10 • Assignment demonstrates a thorough understanding of required content /10 • and structure. • Describe what you believe gentrification to be /20 • Do you believe that the gentrification Saint-Henri is experiencing is inevitable and should be embraced as a form of urban renewal or do you agree with the 1 in 6 rule ? /20 • Pick an area of The GTA that you believe has gone through the process of gentrification and explain the changes in the area that prove your assertion. Provide demographic evidence of this change /20 • Conclusion /10