ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to research and debate on gentrification with a focus on the process of progressive commodification of urban space and urban culture at the street level. In ecological terms, if urban renewal can be compared to primary succession, the creation of a new ecosystem on a land cleared by an initial catastrophic event, gentrification is closer to secondary succession, where a new population of species takes over an established ecosystem. Discussing gentrification in terms of its phases gives a useful opportunity to summarise the main literature in the field and evaluate its progressive impact on street life and street culture. The flavour and ethnicity of the gentrifying neighbourhood are adopted for branding purposes, and newcomers start imposing their own culture and rhythms to the street life. The original edginess of the neighbourhood street culture is tamed and made more middle-class-friendly with the consequent exclusion of some of the original actors of the local street life.
