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'I Want to be Global': Theorising the Gentrifying Class as an Emergent Elite Global Community

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  • Matthew W. Rofe

    (Matthew Rofe is in the Department of Geographical and Environmental Studies, Room 812, Napier Building, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. matthew.rofe@adelaide.edu.au)

Abstract

Globalisation has significantly altered the scale at which social structures are organised and experienced. The erosion of spatial boundaries has liberated social experience from the constraints of the local. While globalisation is often portrayed as heralding a single global culture and community, in reality globalisation is heralding the emergence of multiple global communities. The gentrifying class constitutes one such emergent global community. Premised upon notions of affluence and prestige, gentrification constitutes a local socio-spatial strategy of identity construction that is increasingly commodified. This commodification erodes the symbolic significance of local gentrification processes. In order to maintain a distinctive identity, numerous gentrifiers are projecting their identity from the scale of the local onto the scale of the global. In doing so, these individuals actively position themselves as a global elite community.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew W. Rofe, 2003. "'I Want to be Global': Theorising the Gentrifying Class as an Emergent Elite Global Community," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(12), pages 2511-2526, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:40:y:2003:i:12:p:2511-2526
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098032000136183
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary Bridge, 2001. "Estate Agents as Interpreters of Economic and Cultural Capital: The Gentrification Premium in the Sydney Housing Market," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 87-101, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Loretta Lees, 2011. "Gentrifying the World City," Chapters, in: Ben Derudder & Michael Hoyler & Peter J. Taylor & Frank Witlox (ed.), International Handbook of Globalization and World Cities, chapter 33, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Duncan Light & Craig Young, 2015. "Toponymy as Commodity: Exploring the Economic Dimensions of Urban Place Names," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 435-450, May.

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