Resisting gentrification, reclaiming urban spaces: Latin urbanisms in London

Abstract

Developer-led gentrification, assisted by local governments, is the antithesis of spatial justice. This is particularly true in London where land values are at a premium and both programmes and policies aimed at mitigating the negative impact are superficial and non-effective. In this context, I argue that asserting a form of Latin urbanism in struggles over place becomes a strategic tool for reshaping, claiming, and resisting gentrification in inner city neighbourhoods of London. The paper draws on the conceptual underpinnings of Latino urbanism within the global north to argue that building networks of solidarity and collaboration amongst like-minded groups is crucial to resist gentrification and advocate for spatial justice and inclusive urban policies. By focusing on Latin urbanisms, this paper contributes to our understanding of unequal forms of urbanisms in London, particularly as it is framed around race and ethnicity, and thus addresses the ethnic gap in urban planning policy and development in the UK. The paper provides insightful material from long-term ethnographic research in two of London’s largest Latin American business clusters at Elephant and Castle in the borough of Southwark and Seven Sisters in the borough of Haringey.

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