Abstract

This paper presents the conclusions of five years of research in a gentrifying quarter, the Albayzin in Granada, Spain. For the time being, gentrification studies in Southern Europe's cities are still scarce and incomplete, and usually show a lag between (international) theory and (local) empirical data. The distinctive features of this area and its context are both peculiar, and have an important role altering the way changes are taking place. The use of a wide methodological approach has allowed us to draw a detailed picture of the process. During the research period we have done a review of historical sources, an analysis of demographic databases, conducted a qualitative fieldwork (based on interviews and focus groups) and even explored the visual analysis of the anti-gentrification graffiti. We have found evidence of a process of gentrification in this former working-class area in from the 70’s on. But the transformation of the neighbourhood is still incomplete in 2012. Gentrification in the Albayzin is not simply slower, but different. It affects the way old and new inhabitants see –and treat- each other. The role of the individual, public and corporate agents varies. Even the consequences of the phenomenon are not the same, with population displacement working on a generational time scale. As the building renewal takes place in small buildings, sometimes affecting housing units one by one, we address this process as an “atomized gentrification”. Regarding the subsequent importance of these findings, we are convinced about the usefulness of our results to study—and understand—gentrification processes in other cities, specially those with a similar historical and urban background.