Commercial upgrading of residential areas and displacement of residents also characterise the image of Chinese urban development today - but mostly in the form of the demolition of entire blocks of flats and the systematic resettlement of residents under the auspices of state modernisation policy. How far does the concept of gentrification apply here? Based on an insight into historical urban development processes in China, Elena Meyer-Clement's contribution examines theoretical approaches that focus on the global dimensions of gentrification and asks about the possible contribution of Chinese urban history to the gentrification debate.

This lecture was part of the panel "Who owns the city? Gentrification in Historical Perspective" of the 53. Deutscher Historikertag.

Date: October 6, 2021