The Nexus Between Touristification and Gentrification: A Case in Brufut Heights, the Gambia

Abstract

Tourism development along the coast of the Gambia has caused an increase in the rate of gentrification in urban Gambia (See; Smith, 1982; Weisler, 2019). Commodification and financialization of land are relatively new in the Gambia but these phenomena have positive and negative impacts on communities. According to Aalbers (2008), the financialization of land and housing is unsustainable. When the laws of demand and supply control the housing sector as a financial mechanism, financial interest will dominate thereby gentrification and capitalized rent gap become eminent (Criekingen, 2008; Lapavitsas, 2013). This paper explored how stateinduced touristification influences gentrification vis-à-vis the nexus between touristification and gentrification. The study revealed that the touristification of Brufut Heights has caused an insupportable burden of gentrification, economic hardship, displacement, and increased crime rates. Over 98% of the respondents argue that they cannot afford a house in Brufut Heights, 99% believe that they are victims of state-led gentrification while 3% are not affected by touristification. 98% believed that there is a rapid increase in the rent gap around touristified areas causing displacements.