Evolution of Gentrification Studies: A Meta-Research Analysis

https://doi.org/10.33110/cimexus200112

Abstract

Gentrification, as a multidimensional urban phenomenon, has been extensively studied, but debates persist regarding its mechanisms, impacts, and conceptual frameworks. This study analyzes it through a systematic review from 1993 (the first identified study) to 2024, under the PRISMA framework, synthesizing global evidence to identify theoretical patterns (such as the predominance of rent gap theory and urban neoliberalism, along with critiques from environmental justice), key impacts (displacement, racial segregation, and increased housing costs that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups), and research gaps. The systematic analysis of academic production reveals a geographical bias—73% of studies focus on the Global North (USA and Europe)—which limits the understanding of dynamics in the Global South. This underscores the urgency of researching underrepresented regions and promoting urban policies centered on equity, challenging the commodification of space as the sole driver of development.