Proceedings of The 6th World Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Urban Transformation: Manifold and Multifaceted Processes in Formerly Working-Class Neighbourhoods of Prague
Adela Petrovic
ABSTRACT:
Urban transformation is a process that involves various and simultaneously occurring subprocesses, which make it broad, multi-dimensional and complex. The study seeks to identify and contextualise those subprocesses (e.g. gentrification, regeneration, internationalisation, commercialisation, hipsterfication, etc.) and analyse their impact on the urban environment and identity construction. The paper is a theoretical and empirical contribution to changes in socio-demographic composition and urban transformation processes occurring in two formerly working-class neighbourhoods, Karlín and Smíchov, in the inner city of Prague. The research aims to combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to analysing urban transformation. Methodologically, the research derives mainly from comparing the two neighbourhoods’ sociodemographic composition (statistical/migration data analysis) between 2000 and 2020. In addition, the study employs other methods such as ethnographic and participatory observation, photo documentation, mapping, policy and development plan analysis, surveys, interviews and media discourse analysis. Finally, the paper will delineate the identified urban transformation subprocesses and explain them in their context.
keywords: gentrification, inner-city of Prague, socio-demographic composition, urban transformation