Gentrification

Question 1

What is gentrification?

Answer 1

is the conversion of previously working class, inner city districts into areas of middle class residence and business activity.

Question 2

Notting Hill post WW2

Answer 2

home to large numbers of recent migrants from the West Indies, and an established working class population of predominantly low skilled, low paid British workers.

In 1958, serious race riots broke out in the area involving nightly clashes between black and white residents and between residents of all backgrounds and the police. Notting Hill was viewed as one of the capitals more undesirable areas.

Housing conditions were squalid and levels of deprivation high

Question 3

Notting Hill gentrification

Answer 3

younger public sector professionals, including teachers, academics and social workers, purchased run down properties in this relatively central area and began renovating them into family homes. Highly paid private sector professionals moved in during the 1980s and 1990s, often working in financial services, media and design.

Question 4

Notting hill now

Answer 4

Property prices are enormously high and the area is one of the capitals most desirable locations. Common businesses on the high street are gourmet delicatessens, expensive independent clothes shops and antique dealers. Notting Hill is now populated by very high earning professionals, with a number of wealthy overseas investors. It is virtually impossible for the young to afford rents or property prices and private landlords have long since sold their cheap rental units to property developers. Long term residents have left the area, although a number of them have made fortunes through selling their originally cheap properties for a huge profit