Ward - problem sweeping fashion: Commercial gentrification Russa -fa, the valencian “Soho”

Abstract

Russafa neighborhood in Valencia (Spain) has become the center of one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment plans implemented by the local council in recent years. This old neighborhood of merchants and artisans, that during the 80's and 90’s experienced a long period of degradation and neglect, is today the multicultural trendy district for tourists and citizens The aim of this paper is to show the gentrification process emerged in this neighborhood, and how from the abandonment that characterized it just a decade ago, it has undergone a fast process of festivalization and economic transformation with the arrival of the “creative classes”, that so far has caused few reactions, despite being a historically active neighborhood in urban social movements. We will focus on the study of the retail sector in order to illustrate and analyze this process, using GIS and distinguishing three types of stores: traditional, immigrant and gentrifiying stores.