The other side of gentrification
The word "gentrification" means improvement of a city or neighbourhood. But its dynamics change in the bigger picture. Generally, gentrification means affluent people relocating to the urban or rural areas usually inhabited by either poor or middle-class population. Often it causes relocation of the existing people to a greater distance from the city and the facilities it offers. Therefore, in a negative way, it means dislocation of people in a poor neighbourhood by the rich and privileged groups, since it eliminates the poor and middle-class people from the neighbourhood that was built-up by them through many decades and even centuries.
The main consequence of gentrification is inflation of rentals. Tenants get burdened by high rent in megacities like Dhaka, Sylhet or Chattogram. Over time, the housing and high rent problems have become a multi-dimensional anarchy. It triggers low-income households to move to low-cost neighbourhoods with less amenities. There are many factors that play important roles in triggering gentrification including productivity, transportation, easy access, safety, shopping malls, schools, hospitals and the atmosphere. But the vital role is played by the construction of new high-rise buildings and the renovation of existing buildings.
Gentrification has both positive and negative impacts on a society. Most of the impacts are negative though. It forces the poor to relocate; it also makes students switch schools. It imposes the dark power of financial strength over poor people. On the other hand, there are also some positive outcomes from gentrification. A large number of homeowners and businesses pay more taxes, as a result the value of property increases and so more revenue allows the local government to deploy more law enforcement, among other public services. More businesses create more job opportunities and it helps to reduce unemployment and crime.
The capital of Bangladesh and other major cities are in the front line of increasing housing rent. Till the 90s, the scenario was very different. Since the mega industrialisation started, both residential and commercial rent started to increase sharply. There are many reasons behind this hideous circumstance. Dhaka used to be a city where peace was seen among the people, the harmony of life was prominent.
After gentrification began in areas in and around Dhaka, they witnessed a significant decrease in the crime rate. Since the homeowners and new businesses are paying high taxes and revenues, it is allowing the local authority to deploy enough agencies to keep these areas safe and secure for the mass people. A lot of new banks and financial institutes have established their branches around these areas. There are also well-known schools and universities throughout the cities. All the above-mentioned amenities and facilities significantly increased the living costs along with high rent. Hence, the poor have no other options other than to move out. It also increased the transportation costs of the working-class people to commute to the city for work.
We must acknowledge that gentrification brings a lot of social, economic and environmental changes to a city or neighbourhood. The beauty and cleanliness of the newly renovated area attract more rich people towards it. On the other hand, poor people are often forced to leave their beloved neighbourhoods with which they have many memories. It is as upsetting as migrating to another country where you no longer have the known faces around and where you do not have your childhood friends anymore.
Modern gentrification makes poor people the pawns of the rich. They have become refugees in their own country where they have no certainty or stability. Many middle-class and poor people live under the threat of gentrification. They know that any time soon they might fall victim to financial dominance. The government should take multidimensional steps to prevent excessive gentrification. Decapitalisation, affordable housing, and urban planning are some of the key areas that should be considered seriously by the policymakers in order to address the problem of gentrification.
Rayhan Siddiqui is a student at the Department of English Literature, The City University of New York, USA.