Gentrification creates social class disparities in belonging

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Urban Studies
• Sociology

Background:

• Gentrification is a widespread phenomenon in US cities, potentially displacing lower-income residents and diminishing their sense of community belonging.
• Understanding the social dynamics of gentrification is crucial for developing equitable urban policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how gentrification affects residents' sense of belonging across different social classes.
• To identify strategies for neighborhood investment that support, rather than undermine, belonging for lower-income residents.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining survey data and three preregistered experiments (N = 141, 1,085, 510).
• A fourth experiment (N = 402) examined the impact of community-driven versus capital-driven investment on belonging.
• Analysis focused on social class disparities, perceived similarity, trust, and anticipated belonging.

Main Results:

• Lower-income residents reported significantly less belonging in gentrifying neighborhoods compared to higher-income residents.
• This disparity was mediated by lower perceived similarity and trust among lower-income residents, and a feeling that amenities were better suited for higher-income individuals.
• Community-driven neighborhood investments, focused on existing residents' needs, fostered greater anticipated belonging and support among lower-income individuals compared to capital-driven investments.

Conclusions:

• Gentrification exacerbates belonging disparities, particularly impacting lower-income residents due to social and perceived amenity mismatches.
• Equitable urban policy should prioritize community-driven development to ensure neighborhood investments enhance, rather than threaten, the belonging of long-term, lower-income residents.
• Future research should explore the social psychology of gentrification to inform inclusive urban planning.