Young Pioneers, Vitality, and Commercial Gentrification in Mudan Street, Changchun, China

Abstract

The pioneers who started the gentrification process have contributed significantly to the activation of gentrified neighborhoods, but are often overlooked in top-down urban governance strategies. We studied the core participants, who were avant-garde café owners, in the initial stage of the commercial gentrification of Mudan Street in Changchun, China. By participatory observations and in-depth interviews, we closely investigated the statuses, behaviors, and preferences of the early gentrifiers, their contributions to block revivals, and the impacts of urban renewal policies on the gentrifiers themselves. Our conclusions are as follows. Most early gentrifiers were young and highly educated. They started the process of gentrification by youth culture production, which exhibited idealistic operating behaviors, such as the decoration of shops, creation of cultural atmospheres, and organization of cultural activities. They were the pioneers who drove bottom-up block renewal, reshaped traditional blocks into youth cultural consumption centers, and stimulated commercial vitality. However, commercialization was followed by soaring rents and increasing business competition that have forced many pioneers with low economic capital to leave. Furthermore, urban governance has had strong impacts on block renewal and gentrification. Inclusive management has promoted bottom-up neighborhood renewal, whereas arbitrary management has quickly destroyed the cultural landscape and business atmosphere, thereby accelerating the displacement of the pioneers. This study provides new evidence for gentrification theories, and offers a practical reflection for urban governance by constructing the profiles of early gentrifiers and discussing the paradox of gentrification in the context of urban China.

Defining the “Hip Factor”: Analysis of Location Properties, SNS Usage, and Other “Hip-Place” Characteristics That Influence Visitor Satisfaction

“…In contrast, parking convenience did not seem to have a significant effect on visitor satisfaction with the area. The effect of walking safety on visitor satisfaction at a destination is inconsistent with the findings of previous studies [16]. It is believed that the result reflects the tendency of the millennial generation to prefer various new experiences in the place over the uniformity of well-maintained streets in general commercial districts to ensure pedestrian safety [29].…”

“…Finally, the literature review also indicated that the characteristics of producers and consumers of the commercial district contribute to the formation of the "place properties" of the area. Furthermore, Shin and Choi (2010) stated that consumers' personal (private) properties within a commercial area also contribute to the unique properties of the location [15], and the role of young people is sometimes listed as a crucial factor, especially in the early formation stage of a commercial area [16]. In the process of creating and consuming commercial districts, the personality of young users is reflected in the shaping of a commercial district with unique properties [17].…”

The Impact Analysis of Land Features to JL1-3B Nighttime Light Data at Parcel Level: Illustrated by the Case of Changchun, China

“…The humid continental climate with long, cold winters governs the regional biomes, which are represented by temperate conifer forests. After the reform and opening up of the country, Changchun gradually formed a service industry and commercial spaces, and it developed rapidly since the early 1980s [ 47 ]. In 2014, Changchun’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached 861.12 billion RMB Yuan, and its per capita disposable income reached 11335.85 RMB Yuan.…”

Regeneration as a Tool for Enhancing Vitality of Urban Spaces

“…There are other cases however where urban regeneration is sorely aimed at providing short-term physical solutions to induce gentrification [32]. Gentrification was born with urban regeneration in the 1960s in Western countries [30]. In respect of this, urban regeneration can be classified in a plethora of ways, however for this study, Turok's [26] classification of 'place', 'people' and 'business' seems applicable.…”