Gentrification, theoretical models and case studies: essay of historiographical criticism

Abstract

In the face of the various transformations that modern cities have undergone throughout history, various theoretical models have emerged to explain what is, how and why one of the most striking phenomena of the great urban metropolises in contemporary times occurs: gentrification. The objective of this essay was to discuss some of these models, presenting and comparing case studies: the Le Marais neighborhood in Paris, France; the Soho neighborhood in New York, United States; and the historical downtown of João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. With this, the objective was to sketch an essay of historiographical criticism regarding the theories of gentrification in relation to the Brazilian case. It was concluded with the hypothesis that in Brazil, the theoretical models that would serve to explain the phenomenon are appropriate in the form of public policies that reinforce the process of gentrification itself.