What should be done to combat gentrification in London?

New data has today revealed the London neighborhoods that saw the most gentrification between 2010 and 2016.

The study, carried out by Runnymede Trust and CLASS, named the top ten inner London boroughs as Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Royal Borough of Greenwich and Lewisham.

Boroughs outside London included Newham, Ealing, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Brent, Merton, Hounslow, Barnet, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames.

The report broadly defined gentrification as “a process in which poor neighborhoods are transformed by the entry of middle-class occupants who trigger a ‘socioeconomic uplift’ in the surrounding area.”

But despite the potential “uplift,” gentrification also frequently results in long-term displacement of working-class and black and ethnic minority residents from communities as less affordable properties are snapped up by middle-class buyers.

The report also noted that key workers such as teachers and transport workers are among those most likely to be pushed out of the capital.

The research sparked new calls for affordable housing and the implementation of rent controls in the private sector.

What do you think more could be done to reduce the harmful effects of gentrification? Let us know in the comments for a chance to be featured on the ES site.

Yesterday’s talking point: What more can be done to make London a ‘walkable city’?

Following yesterday’s announcement that London’s pedestrian crossings are soon to change, we asked what else you think could improve London’s footpaths.

Some, including “ilmoro66”, felt that London was already “as good as it gets”. Stephen Tilney agreed: “London is already very walkable.”

Others thought otherwise. Helen Frost has suggested that scooters should be banned from pavements, calling them “horribly dangerous”. “Queenlaveau” echoed that, adding that bicycles and motorized devices should also be banned.

“Mhaneef1” thought tunnels could make walking easier, “Carolann6363” wanted more benches and tables, “Lgehlsen” suggested continuous paths along each bank of the Thames, and “stormintormod” wanted to see Oxford Pedestrian street.

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