GENTRIFICATION, INTERROGATION, SOCIAL ENGINEERING

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Gentrification is often linked to the displacement of people due to increased capital in an area. When discussing displacement, we typically imagine people relocating. Yet, in highly gentrified neighborhoods, we seldom witness people being forced out of their homes. Occasionally, we observe the act of moving, like people loading trucks and moving furniture, but such occurrences are not as frequent as the demographic shifts in a gentrified neighborhood. 
So, how can we discuss gentrification if the replacement process isn't clearly visible?
We propose that gentrification doesn't always involve replacing people. It can also mean developing infrastructure, amenities, and services that are primarily accessible to high-income groups. Gentrification creates an imbalance where privileged classes can better utilize newly designed spaces than low-income individuals.
To support this view, consider the process of obtaining a housing loan from a bank.  Banks are legally required to survey and question loan applicants. For someone with complete documentation, a stable down payment, predictable income, and privileged status, these questions may seem routine.
However, for someone with low income, financial instability, immigrant status, minority group affiliation, or tax debt, these questions can feel like an interrogation. In essence, the home-buying process can feel like an uncomfortable interview conducted by a powerful authority over an individual in a vulnerable social situation.
These individuals are often discouraged from buying property in newly developed areas, leading to their exclusion from certain city areas.
In this way, gentrification is indirectly encouraged.
Even if gentrification doesn't directly displace current residents, newcomers are selected and filtered by banks to meet the financial criteria of the gentrified area. 

In some aspects, gentrification acts as social engineering.
As demonstrated, although gentrification is commonly associated with displacement, we have used other terms to describe this process: interrogation and social engineering. This suggests that the term gentrification might be outdated, and we should seek new definitions.
In this context, we recommend watching a video where Professor Sharon Zukin shares insights on gentrification and suggests finding a new term for it

Gentrification 101: Interview w/ Professor Sharon Zukin

More so, in addition we are sharing with you an affiliated link where you can purchase her book and we will earn some commission.

Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Places by Sharon Zukin

EU: https://amzn.to/3ZDiJ8z
US: https://amzn.to/3OYetLI