Theoretical Foundations of Gentrification: Conceptual Analysis

The study examines the theoretical conceptualization of gentrification as a complex and multidimensional process encompassing cultural, social, and economic mechanisms of urban transformation. The aim of the study is to address the theoretical problem wherein gentrification is frequently misconstrued as synonymous with “refinement” or “upgrading”, thereby narrowing the understanding of its potential ramifications. It is emphasized that gentrification represents one of the forms of socio-spatial differentiation and is gradually becoming as a pertinent issue in Russian cities. Two key explanatory approaches – liberal and Marxist – and their relationship to social change and urban spatial dynamics are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to marginal forms of gentrification and the concept of the “creative class”, incorporating a critical examination of social consequences such as exacerbated inequality and the displacement of vulnerable groups. The work highlights the need to adapt Western theoretical models to post-Soviet cities and opens up opportunities for further research, including the study of local manifestations of gentrification, the analysis of the interaction between cultural and economic factors, and the development of new conceptual models that take into account regional and historical specifics.