Introduction
Many, including myself, believe that gentrification contributes to the urban and economic development of neighborhoods, reduces poverty and violence, and improves living conditions. It responds to market logic where housing prices react to variations in supply and demand, reflecting changes in consumer preferences and demographic trends. Critics argue that gentrification leads to the displacement of certain groups into peripheral slums. However, these issues should be addressed by correcting regulatory restrictions and land-use policies, combating corruption, and implementing better renovation and restoration policies for historic properties. These deficiencies are not directly linked to gentrification but are reactions to perverse incentives from flawed regulation negatively impacting housing supply for all socioeconomic strata.
The Roma Colony and Romita: A Historical Perspective
The Roma colony was established in 1903 when a large tract of land was subdivided to build mansions for the Porfirian upper class. An ancient pre-Hispanic village (Aztacalco) was included but never assimilated into the colony. Renamed Romita, it is a small enclave bounded by Avenida Cuauhtémoc and the streets Durango, Morelia, and Puebla. Comprising a plaza with a small chapel, residences, and narrow alleys, Romita was always resistant to modernization and reurbanisation. Consequently, it fell behind socially and economically as the Roma colony thrived as a middle/upper-class residential area.
Decline and Gentrification
During the 1940s and 1950s, frozen rents and outdated infrastructure exacerbated Romita’s decline. As a marginalized area, it was featured in Buñuel’s film “Los olvidados.” By the 1960s, Romita was deemed a dangerous territory inhabited by impoverished, idle, alcoholic, gang members, and thieves who found an easy-to-invade settlement and a hard-to-penetrate hideout. My childhood and adolescence were spent in the Roma colony, just a block away from Romita. My mother would warn us not to walk near Romita at any hour. Yet, childish curiosity would lead my friends and me to approach Romita, running away from the teporocho (street children) who would harass us. Adjacent to Romita, the Plaza Guaymas and Morelia housed the offices of the Federal Directorate of Security. Likely, the collusion between law enforcement and criminals made Romita a “safe” haven for protecting criminals.
The 1985 earthquake severely affected the entire colony, causing significant decay and prompting substantial emigration (my family lost their home). Numerous unrenovatable houses were invaded by impoverished individuals, worsening the deterioration. However, in the 1990s, a gradual gentrification process began, incorporating Romita and rehabilitating the colony as a bohemian neighborhood with condominiums, restaurants, shops, and a young population.
Romita Today
Recently, I visited Romita, which now appears clean and functional. It features a couple of apartment buildings, several businesses, and food stalls offering local cuisine. Tourists frequently visit this small example, demonstrating the benefits gentrification can bring.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is gentrification? Gentrification refers to the process of renovation and revival of deteriorated urban neighborhoods, often leading to increased property values and changes in demographic composition.
- How does gentrification impact Romita? Gentrification brought about the rehabilitation of Romita, transforming it from a marginalized area into a functional, bohemian neighborhood with improved living conditions and increased appeal to tourists.
- What challenges does gentrification pose? Gentrification can lead to the displacement of lower-income residents and the erasure of cultural heritage if not managed carefully. Addressing these issues requires correcting regulatory restrictions, combating corruption, and implementing better renovation policies for historic properties.
