Housing, population change and displacement in a neighborhood in the process of gentrification. The case of Sant Antoni (Barcelona)

Abstract

The conditions of access to housing in large Spanish cities have worsened since 2015, mainly because of a dramatic increase in housing prices. This trend has significantly affected high centrality areas that had remained unaltered to previous urban and socio-demographic transformation episodes. In this article, we approach the current gentrification process of Sant Antoni, a neighborhood in Barcelona, through a mixed methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis. This approach allows us to dissect the mechanisms of neighborhood change underlining the housing market’s leading role. Sant Antoni is a relevant case because largely unexplored emerging dynamics are taking place in the neighborhood, such as tourism or qualified international migration, elements that are increasingly necessary to understand gentrification processes in southern Europe.