Gentrifiers and attitudes towards agency: A new typology. Evidence from Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaddar, Merav
• Is Part Of: Urban studies. Volume 57:Number 6(2020:May)
• Page Start: 1243
• Page End: 1259
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: agency -- displacement -- gentrification -- moral motivation -- neighbourhood -- politics -- theory; 自主性 -- 驱逐 -- 绅士化 -- 道德动机 -- 街区 -- 政治 -- 理论; Cities and towns -- Periodicals; City planning -- Periodicals; 307.1216
• DOI: 10.1177/0042098020904252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-0980

Abstract

This article offers a new typology (and therefore understanding) of gentrifiers, dividing them into four ideal types: Shruggers, Agonisers, Upgraders and Activists. Based on 32 in-depth interviews and focusing on the political aspect of gentrifiers' behaviour, namely their agency, the article suggests that gentrifiers' attitudes towards agency are affected by two main factors: their sense of efficacy, and their interest in remedying the allegedly negative political and urban outcomes of gentrification. These two factors yield the above-mentioned four ideal types of agency among gentrifiers. In addition, I find that the duration of their residence in the neighbourhood moderates gentrifiers' attitudes and perceptions, thus affecting their behaviour.