There is a concept that is being widely talked about in recent times not only at the local and national level, but it is popularized worldwide. It's about gentrification. Have you heard it before? For those who are not so familiar, let's start by defining it.
What is gentrification?
Gentrification is understood as the displacement of part of the population with lower purchasing power that inhabits a territory by people who have greater purchasing power. The word has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon term “gentry” which means small aristocracy, bourgeoisie. This also generates a cultural erasure, of the customs and of the existing lifestyle in that place.
We have the closest example in Santa Teresa. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many “digital nomads” from the global north decided to move to the area looking for a more relaxed and cheaper lifestyle. The law of supply and demand did the rest: suddenly there was a lot of demand for rental housing and those people with more purchasing power began to make their offers public so as not to be left without accommodation. We already know the result: housing prices rose, causing those with less purchasing power to have to look for a place to live further from the beach or the center.
Furthermore, where once there were small restaurants and sodas, simple houses and hotels and a simple lifestyle, we increasingly see luxurious residences and hotels. This is increasingly common on the coasts and local residents suffer from failures in the supply of water and electricity.
Gentrification is related in some places to processes of so-called neocolonialism which is characterized by indirect control through the exploitation and trade of natural resources and cultural influence, normally by countries of the global north, which are economic powers, over developing countries or former colonies. On the other hand and related to the previous ones, there is the concept of touristification. This concept does not only refer to a destination being touristy, but implies that the destination changes to satisfy the needs of the tourist, leaving the local community with more limited access to certain resources, either because there is not enough investment in them from the public entity (for example parks or medical services) or because the inhabitants cannot afford it (for example increased prices in supermarkets).
These concepts come together in several tourist areas around the world, which is generating discomfort among local or original neighbors. In this way, demonstrations are taking place in places as diverse as Hawaii, Barcelona, Bali, the Canary Islands and Venice (Italy).
A similar movement has also emerged in Costa Rica that has called for protests this Thursday, June 20th, in front of the Legislative Assembly in San José and in coastal communities that want to join. The slogans refer to the need for more regulations that protect local populations from foreign investors and capital.
The “No a la gentrificación CR” and “Anti Gentrificación CR” platforms have been publishing complaints and some of the solutions proposed are:
-Regulation of investments and purchases of land by foreigners.
-Regulation of real estate businesses.
-Regulation of rent prices.
-Ensure compliance with the law in the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone.
-Ensure compliance with immigration and labor laws.
-Greater restriction of construction in forested areas or areas that have suffered fires.
This outlet does not have information about demonstrations called in the district of Cóbano. In the same way we would like to open the debate:
Do you think there is gentrification in the Cóbano district?
What solutions can you think of for the various problems faced?
Do you consider it important to demonstrate to defend your rights?
References (in Spanish):
https://onuhabitat.org.mx/index.php/el-fenomeno-de-la-gentrificacion
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