Gentrification, perceptions of neighborhood change, and mental health in Montréal, Québec

The Dynamic Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space in Diverse Communities: Opportunities and Challenges to Public Health

“…Several studies have linked gentrification to negative mental health outcomes for longtime, low-income residents from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds [ 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 ]. Research also shares that the mental health challenges that accompany the impacts of gentrification may strain social connections [ 160 ] and relate to poor sleep outcomes [ 161 ]. This is also important in the context of health and well-being since sleep deprivation can impair behavioral responses and social interactions [ 162 ].…”

“…However, green gentrification could also lead to more policing of diverse populations [ 145 ], thus limiting their opportunities to participate in activities that develop social cohesion in green spaces (connection f in Figure 1 ) [ 148 ]. Additionally, green gentrification may limit leisure participation in green spaces among longtime diverse populations (connection g in Figure 1 ) [ 147 ], reducing their opportunity to develop social cohesion in such spaces [ 160 ]. Also, green gentrification can change a neighborhood’s social environment and lower social cohesion, contributing to diverse populations feeling less welcome and displacing some of those residents (connection h in Figure 1 ) [ 147 ].…”