Wilhelmsburg 2013. This is what Gentrifidingsbums looks like.

Gentrification is rising – or at least the debate on it. There is plenty of research, blogs and papers on it. But still remaining is the question “How does Gentrification look” like.

Since I live in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, a neighborhood that is often used as an example for gentrification in Germany, I took some pictures to capture, what gentrifidingsbums looks like.

1.) The hip stuff they do in Berlin

Burned out car.
Burned out car.

2.) Scarcity of housing

Rewards for helping to find an apartment. … As on the other side of river Elbe.
Rewards for helping to find an apartment. … As on the other side of river Elbe.

In fact, some landlords (even the “non profit” ones), raised there rents by up to 20 percent.

3.) A healthy protest culture

Gentrification isn't existing if there is no protest against it existing.
Gentrification isn’t existing if there is no protest against it existing.
Color for the hood!
Color for the hood!

And while the local rag writes about graffiti as a sign of protest, elsewhere it’s already discussed, which role graffiti and street art plays for promoting gentrification.

4.) Shopping facilities for the young pioneers

Onkel Tokay. – Hipster furniture and more.
Onkel Tokay. – Hipster furniture and more.
Black Ferry – vegan clothes and food
Black Ferry – vegan clothes and food

We even got a non-discounter market and a fancy crêpes place, now! A vegan cupcake parlor, an organic foods store and shop where I can get socks and underwear are still missing.

5.) Showing off the quarter’s architecture

Form follows function? A church that looks like a roll of toilet paper. Only in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg.
Form follows function? A church that looks like a roll of toilet paper. Only in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg.

6.) More color. More paradise.

Vogelhüttendeich (Bird house dike) gets renamed in  Paradiesvogelhüttendeich (Bird of paradise house dike)
Vogelhüttendeich (Bird house dike) gets renamed in Paradiesvogelhüttendeich (Bird of paradise house dike)

7.) Better transport connections

HVV ferry, now also to Wilhelmsburg. Sometimes.
HVV ferry, now also to Wilhelmsburg. Sometimes.

I probably have to wait until my retirement until we get a subway connection on this side of the river.

8.) Rise of avant-garde artists

Young avant-gardist artist at work.
Young avant-gardist artist at work.

9.) Last, but not least: IBA (Internationale Bauausstellung / International Building Exhibition)…

IBA
IBA Hamburg 2013

10.) … and igs (Internationale Gartenbauaustellung / International Horticultural Show) 2013

igs Hamburg 2013
igs Hamburg 2013

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