Residents’ perceptions: a collective critical cartography of gentrification in Vallcarca, Barcelona

Abstract

Displacement of low-income workers as a result of speculation processes is a challenge recognized by the current government of Barcelona. The physicality of speculation can be broadly noticed when a neighbourhood drastically changes. On the other hand, it is rarely noticeable when the physical changes have not yet occurred – speculation happens invisibly behind the materialities of the city. This master thesis aims to contribute precisely to this task: the deduction work of what is not obviously visible. In order to accomplish this task, this work sheds light on residents’ perceptions about the changes in their neighbourhood, both the physical and non-physical aspects, and also to the drivers of the changes. Drawing on concepts in the literature on gentrification, the objective of this thesis is to understand what kind of changes are perceived by residents, thus building a critical cartography of gentrification in the neighbourhood. The area of study is Vallcarca, a neighbourhood in the north of Barcelona that faced urban redevelopment plans not fully implemented in the last 40 years, leading to a physical decay of its Casc Antic (historic centre), demolitions, and urban renewal projects. The methodology includes one-to-one interviews and a collective mapping. The results show how perceptions can coincide or differ themselves depending on age, time living in the neighbourhood, or housing tenure (owner, renters or squatters) of the respondents.