Green gentrification: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of greened neighbourhoods in Berlin

Abstract

To contribute to the understanding of green gentrification, this study aims to elucidate the factors that contribute to its occurrence or non-occurrence following urban greening, by considering necessary and sufficient factors. The investigation examines several potential characteristics, including the distribution, size, function, transportation connectivity, neighbourhoods’ centrality, and pre-existing availability of green spaces within neighbourhoods. The research employs an embedded case study approach, focusing on Berlin as the primary case. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) is conducted to analyse the notions of necessity and sufficiency. The analysis identifies several sufficient pathways to gentrification, indicating that the neighbourhood context, particularly the initial availability of green spaces in the neighbourhood, plays a crucial role in determining the occurrence of green gentrification. By contrast, no specific type of greening, such as scattered greening approach, park size, function, or transportation connectivity, consistently led to green gentrification.