On 6th April 2016 we had pleasure to host Dr. Matthias Bernt from Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space. Matthias presented the results of his latest research which has been undertaken in three metropoles. He asked the question in what terms gentrification process is similar in Berlin, Sankt Petersburg, London and what for sure we can call ‘gentrification’. Having introduced us into theoretical framework of the phenomenon based on classical works, he emphasized the uniqueness of the process in every city.

In case of London’s Barnsbury we can talk about supergentrification process – where celebrities, politicians and Guardian journalists displace people who substituted working class in the 70s and 80s. Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg can be described as the place where local authorities introduced the most advanced tools counteracting gentrification. In Sankt Petersburg gentrification is hindered by complicated property relationships, which are still kind of a socialist relict, what gives the process a spotted character. As a consequence, it is hard to decide how is existing body of literature reflects and correctly describes the very unique character of every city – maybe final results of the study will explain better the phenomenon.

Thank you Matthias once again for your excellent presentation!