GENTRIFICATION AND URBAN DISPLACEMENT: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON COMMUNITY CHANGE AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Abstract

This article investigates the sociological dimensions of gentrification and urban displacement, focusing on how neighborhood transformations reshape social relations, cultural identity, and economic conditions. Gentrification, characterized by an influx of higher-income residents and capital investment, often leads to the displacement of low-income communities, raising critical issues of social justice and spatial inequality. Drawing on urban sociology theories, the study analyzes the processes, actors, and consequences of gentrification, including changes in housing markets, social networks, and community cohesion. Through case studies from global cities, the paper highlights the contested nature of urban redevelopment and calls for policies that balance economic revitalization with social equity.