(Shortmemo) Gentrification:: The Latest Global Existential Threat

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Material for your English session
[ShortMemo] Gentrification:
The Latest Global Existential Threat
[source: https://dougchayka.com/filter/Nation/Stop-Gentrification /]
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[Summary in English]
I. Global Trend of Gentrification
● What is Gentrification: Gentrification is a process by which poor neighborhoods are

displaced due to the remodeling of an area by the affluent members of society. The
consequent move of the wealthy into these neighborhoods often results in a shift of the
fundamental characteristics and personality of the affected area. These characteristics tend
to conform to the tastes of affluent societies. Overall, gentrification is a highly contentious
topic that correlates to the following factors: urban planning, housing, transportation,
inequality, and displacement.
● Gentrification in NY and Hong Kong: Gentrification is not specific to a particular region
rather it is an issue prevalent on a global scale. There are many factors that motivate
gentrification, chief among which are high levels of income inequality. For example, while
New York has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, this growth has
not been evenly distributed. Consequently, many residents are struggling to afford housing
as gentrification and income inequality have resulted in high costs of living. The housing
affordability crisis has displaced low-income families throughout the New York region, a
pattern that is evident in other high inequality regions across the country.
In Hong Kong, rapid gentrification is the culprit behind significant cultural and social
change. The proliferation of restaurant franchises, boutiques and upscale housing that are
the hallmarks of a gentrification come at the price of the authenticity and diversity that
define the soul of the neighborhood. Modernization [1] heralds the dissipation of culture
and tradition. Moreover, while gentrification elevates the quality of life of the wealthy it
adversely affects low-income citizens that are often rendered homeless as a result. For
those that can afford the high prices, they are still subject to inconveniences like noise
pollution and congestion that result from the introduction of bars and restaurants.
II. Gentrification in Korea
Gentrification in Itaewon
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● Full of “for rent” signs: In recent years, rising rent prices have put a number of stores out
of business. However, these spaces have remained unoccupied because the rent is so high
that they are unaffordable [2] across the board. According to the Korean Appraisal Board,
the vacancy rate for commercial spaces in Itaewon was 22% during the third quarter of
2018, which was twice the national average of 10.8%.
● Landlord greed: As the trendy and unique atmosphere of Itaewon attracts more people,
landlords have been able to raise rents to the level where they can only be afforded by big
franchise chains financed by conglomerates. For instance, between 2015 and 2017, the
average rent for Gyeongnidan-gil, a street in Itaewon, rose 10.2% while the overall increase
in the city of Seoul was a mere 1.8%.
Gentrification in Jeju-Island
● Massive influx of visitors in Jeju: The majority of the residents in Jeju argued that the
surge in tourism and increase in new business had negatively affected their standard of
living. Real estate prices and crime levels were reported to have risen while environmental
cleanliness had declined. Tourism has led to the commercialization of land and severe
environmental [3] degradation.
● Unfairness to Jeju residents: Many people might believe that tourism boom will provide
financial benefits to Jeju residents. However, this is a misconception. Although many
commercial facilities owned by foreigners or conglomerates earn a large profit, small
business owners in Jeju make up only a fraction. For instance, many Chinese foreigners,
who comprise 80% of all foreign visitors, tend to spend money solely in agencies,
restaurants, and shops owned by its Chinese residents. Jeju natives complain that they are
forced out of business because of foreigners and major hotel chains. At the same time, they
all share the cost of mass tourism.
III. Pros and Cons
Pros
● Economic Investment: With the tremendous investment in new business, there is a higher
level of potential profitability. Existing residents may benefit from this investment, in the
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service sector and construction jobs. Older buildings are rebuilt, and new construction
follows. Additionally, public improvements such as streets, parks, and infrastructure may
accompany [4] revitalization efforts. It could lead to positive changes such as an increased
vibrant street life, lower crime, and improved schools, which bring about a sense of well-
being and encourage engagement among residents.
Cons
● Culture vs Commerce: Gentrification replaces family-owned businesses with wealthier

franchises. Due to this, the authenticity and cultural aspects of local businesses are
continuously being wiped out of existence. Franchises [5] morph the neighborhoods into
upscale and homogeneous areas.
● Skyrocketing rents: Skyrocketing rents are pushing out earlier tenants and making it more
difficult for them to sustain their living. Existing residents may feel ignored and [6]
alienated in their own communities.
Discuss “Gentrification” with your Ringle tutor and receive feedback on your English usage.
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[Video clip]
Please watch these video clips.
• Video #1
[Source: TEDx Talks]
What we don’t understand about gentrification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqogaDX48nI
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• Video #2
[Source: Now This World]
The Pros And Cons Of Gentrification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nyDbHi1YQE
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• Video #3
[Source: City Fields CDC]
What is Gentrification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFKJ45J-LMg
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• Video #4
[Source: ARIRANG NEWS]
Popular urban districts kick out old residents ＆ tenants：

Gentrification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqf4hGdPOu8
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[Article]
Please read the article
Article #1
[Source: https://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-life/what-is-gentrification-definition-causes-effects/]
Yes, you can gentrify a neighborhood without pushing out poor

people
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/04/08/yes-you-can-gentrify-
neighborhood-without-pushing-out-poor-people/?utm_term=.3653db4b4061
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• Article #2
[Source: https://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/gentrification-city/]
What People Don’t Know About Gentrification
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/03/21/what-people-dont-know-about-
gentrification/
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[7 Key Questions]
1. Why did you choose this topic for today’s class discussion?
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where one of your favorite places to visit
disappeared? Where did this happen? How did you feel?
[source: https://thenextweb.com/insider/2016/04/14/londons-gentrification-is-a-tale-told-by-social-media/]
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3. Do you think there is a sharp increase of gentrification in Korea? Do you think this
phenomenon happens more frequently in Korea compared to other countries? Why or why
not?
4. How can we solve the problem of a large influx of Chinese foreigners facing Jeju-Island
residents?
[source: http://www.traveller.com.au/the-worlds-10-mostclimbed-mountains-gm4pqa]
5. What if you were the landlord in gentrified neighborhood? What if you were the renter?
What do you think you would have done and why?
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6. Some people insist that gentrification is a natural phenomenon and should not have a
negative connotation. Do you think gentrification should be solved naturally? Can leaving
the phenomenon help fix the problem?
7. Should the government intervene and prevent it from happening? If so, how? And to what
degree?
[source: https://wmbriggs.com/post/22925/]
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[Key topic-related terms and expressions]

[1] herald: (앞으로 있을 일을[의]) 예고하다[도래를 알리다]
● [영영사전] Be a sign that (something) is about to happen.
● [예문] The Presidential speech heralds a change in social aspects of the country. 대통령의
연설은 국가의 사회적 측면에서의 변화를 예고한다.
● [예문] The falling leaves herald the coming of winter. 낙엽은 겨울이 곧 올 것이라는 것을
알린다.
[2] across the board: (회사·산업 등의) 전반에 걸쳐
● [영영사전] Applying to all.
● [예문] The salary cuts in this company were not limited to some employees, rather they
were across the board. 이 회사의 급여 삭감은 일부 직원에만 국한된 것이 아니라
전반적으로 이루어졌다.
● [예문] Newspapers and magazine sales are down across the board. 신문과 잡지 판매가
전면적으로 줄고 있다.
[3] degradation: 저하[악화](시키기)
● [영영사전] the process in which the beauty or quality of something is destroyed or spoiled:
● [예문] This option does not improve performance but prevents performance degradation.
이 옵션은 성능을 향상시키지는 않지만 성능 저하를 방지합니다.
● [예문] Over the past decade, human actions have intensified environmental degradation.
지난 10 년 동안 인간의 행동들은 환경 악화를 심화시켜왔다.
[4] revitalization: 새로운 활력[생명, 힘]을 줌; 경기 부양화, 경제력 활성화
● [영영사전] the process of making something grow, develop, or become successful again
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● [예문] European leaders are of the opinion that this time, a global, far-reaching economic,
financial revitalization would be necessary. 유럽 지도자들은 지금은 세계적이고
광범위한 경제적 재정적 활력이 필요하다고 생각한다.
● [예문] Our mission is to facilitate the development and revitalization of our city. 우리의
목표는 우리 도시의 발전과 활성화를 촉진하는 것이다.
[5] morph: 변하다, 바뀌다, 바꾸다
● [영영사전] to gradually change, or change someone or something, from one thing to

another
● [예문] What started out as an exciting adventure, morphed into one of despair. 흥미 진진한
모험으로 시작한 것은 절망에 빠지게 되었다.
● [예문] It is an event that might morph into a riot. 이 이벤트는 폭동으로 이어질 수 있다.
[6] alienate sb (from sth/sb): 소외감을 느끼게 하다
● [영영사전] to cause someone or a group of people to stop supporting and agreeing with
you
● [예문] You may lose or alienate longtime friends. 너는 오랜 친구들을 잃거나 그들과
멀어질 수 있다.
● [예문] Many feel alienated and say society is hostile and unfriendly. 많은 젊은이들이
소외감을 느끼며 사회가 자신들을 적대시하고 비우호적이라고 말한다.
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(Shortmemo) Gentrification:: The Latest Global Existential Threat

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(Shortmemo) Gentrification:: The Latest Global Existential Threat

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This material is exclusively prepared for Ringle Customers

Material for your English session

I. Global Trend of Gentrification

● What is Gentrification: Gentrification is a process by which poor neighborhoods are

II. Gentrification in Korea

III. Pros and Cons

● Culture vs Commerce: Gentrification replaces family-owned businesses with wealthier

Please watch these video clips.

[Source: TEDx Talks]

What we don’t understand about gentrification

[Source: Now This World]

The Pros And Cons Of Gentrification

[Source: City Fields CDC]

[Source: ARIRANG NEWS]

Popular urban districts kick out old residents ＆ tenants：

Please read the article

Yes, you can gentrify a neighborhood without pushing out poor

What People Don’t Know About Gentrification

[Key topic-related terms and expressions]

● [영영사전] Be a sign that (something) is about to happen.

연설은 국가의 사회적 측면에서의 변화를 예고한다.

[2] across the board: (회사·산업 등의) 전반에 걸쳐

● [영영사전] Applying to all.

were across the board. 이 회사의 급여 삭감은 일부 직원에만 국한된 것이 아니라

[3] degradation: 저하[악화](시키기)

이 옵션은 성능을 향상시키지는 않지만 성능 저하를 방지합니다.

지난 10 년 동안 인간의 행동들은 환경 악화를 심화시켜왔다.

[4] revitalization: 새로운 활력[생명, 힘]을 줌; 경기 부양화, 경제력 활성화

financial revitalization would be necessary. 유럽 지도자들은 지금은 세계적이고

광범위한 경제적 재정적 활력이 필요하다고 생각한다.

목표는 우리 도시의 발전과 활성화를 촉진하는 것이다.

[5] morph: 변하다, 바뀌다, 바꾸다

● [영영사전] to gradually change, or change someone or something, from one thing to

모험으로 시작한 것은 절망에 빠지게 되었다.

[6] alienate sb (from sth/sb): 소외감을 느끼게 하다

소외감을 느끼며 사회가 자신들을 적대시하고 비우호적이라고 말한다.

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