Perceptions on the gentrification process and its effect on locals' lifestyle in Spinola Bay

Abstract

Over the past few years, St. Julian's has been subjected to a gentrification process. This has led to changes in the way people consume and spend their leisure time in public spaces. Such new ways of living due to gentrification contrast with the lifestyles of the older locals who still live within the area. Thus, this dissertation aims at answering the following research questions. What are locals' perceptions of gentrification? How has the gentrification process affected their lifestyle in terms of consumption and usage of public spaces? Data will be gathered using surveys and then analysed in relation to literature on gentrification. The study suggests that locals' perceptions on the process of gentrification tend to be overall negative for such reasons as indirect displacement, high levels of urbanization and commercialization taking over, and a loss of community. In terms of gentrification affecting consumption patterns, most locals were rather welcoming of the new amenities and services because they widened consumer choice. However, others preferred a mix of using the new and local services depending on what they needed, with a few respondents preferring to stick to local business. Lastly, gentrification’s effects on locals’ ability to enjoy more public space has also been a largely negative one. As stated by most locals, such a result of lack of public spaces came about from the increase of urbanization and lack of planning.