Gentrification, Development and Marginalization: Two Areas on Both Sides of La Cañada, Cordoba, Argentina

Abstract

This article is framed within the paradigm of Participatory Action Research and its main research objective was to detect and make visible potential labor and commercial links between a recently gentrified sector of the city of Córdoba (Argentina), Zona Güemes (ZG), and a neglected sector on the other side of La Cañada stream, corresponding to the Güemes, Observatorio, and Cupani neighborhoods (GOC). In a first diagnostic stage, surveys of commercial premises, and surveys and interviews with shopkeepers in ZG and inhabitants of GOC were conducted. An exploratory descriptive analysis, a multiple correspondence analysis to establish the main correlations between relevant variables, qualitative data matrices, and georeferencing were carried out to summarize and visualize the data. The findings show that there are objective and subjective conditions that allow for a dignified and adequate transference of resources between ZG traders (demanders of workers and/or providers of goods and services) and GOC neighbors (suppliers of the latter), with the potential for significant mutual gain. In this way, bridges are proposed to redistribute the benefit of the revaluation of a gentrified area to a neglected area, taking advantage of its geographical proximity.