CASE STUDY: Gentrification of Notting Hill

Gentrification

The process of middle and upper-class individuals moving into traditionally lower and working class areas, which displaces the original residents.

What is the difference between regeneration and gentrification?

Gentrification is unplanned and regeneration is planned.

Rebranding

Re-building or changing places to make them more attractive for potential investors.

Why did Notting Hill need rebranding?

• There was an influx of carribbean migrants during WW2

• Due to prejudice and racism many of these residents were unable to hain high paying jobs in London

• As a result, London become cheap and deprived due to low income of residents who were unable to invest back into the area

• This lead to high crime rates and racial tensions between locals and the police - incited many race riots, the worst in 1958

How was Notting Hill gentrified?

Gentrification started in 1980s with homes being bought up and ‘flipped’ as they were cheaper than in the rest of London. The film ‘Notting Hill’ popularized the area and caused a mass migration of middle and upper-class individuals to migrate into the area. 

Impacts of Gentrification:

• 👎👍In just over 40years house prices rose from £11,000 to £2mn

• 👍Rebranded from an unfashionable and neglected neighbourhood to a busy, expensive and manicured area of London.

• 👎Increased cost of living forced out original residents of Notting Hill meaning deprivation and poverty spread elsewhere

• 👍Employment rates risen due to influx of high-paying/profile jobs in the area

• 👎Cultural diversity has declined - majority of population is white

• 👎Close knit commnity that once existed has moved away

• 👎Tensions have developed between local ‘original’ communities and wealthy newcomers

• 👍Crime rates have rapidly declined, increase of average income

• 👍Reduced rate of urban sprawl and reducing building on greenbelt of London

• 👎Has contributed to rising house prices and unaffordability of London as a whole