Unpacking the Drivers of Gentrification: A Systematic Review of Selected African Countries

Letlape, Bonolo Helen and Gumbo, Trynos and Mndzebele, Mhlalisi Gavu and Naidoo, Kammila (2025) Unpacking the Drivers of Gentrification: A Systematic Review of Selected African Countries. URBAN INNOVATION: TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO CITIES HAVE GONE BEFORE. Medium sized cities and towns as a major arena of global urbanisation. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2025, 30th Intl. Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 955-964. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Gentrification is a globally urban phenomenon that has relatively been researched. However, the drivers of gentrification remain a subject of ongoing enquiry. Consequently, this literature review examines the core drivers of gentrification within Africa, offering a comprehensive synthesis of key findings across disciplines to deepen our understanding of this complex process. The investigation employs bibliometric analysis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to examine the literature on the drivers of gentrification in African cities. Using VOSviewer version 1.6.20 software, the study analyses trends, citations and authorship patterns to identify dominant themes and scholarly networks. Drawing from a comprehensive dataset of articles published in the Scopus database, the paper clearly highlights the drivers of gentrification scholarship in the region through an analysis of relevant keywords, co-occurrences, and co-citation patterns. Findings reveal economic, socio-cultural shift, political and institutional factors emerge as critical drivers in directing gentrification trajectories. By synthesizing fragmented insights from existing literature, this review addresses key research gaps, particularly the lack of integrated analyses bridging economic, social and political dimensions of gentrification. In addition to advancing theoretical understanding, this review offers practical insights for urban policy. It emphasizes the need for context-sensitive urban planning strategies, inclusive housing policies, and institutional mechanisms that prioritize social equity and minimize displacement risks. This review contributes to the broader discourse of urban change and inequality, providing both scholarly clarity and actionable recommendations for fostering more equitable and sustainable urban development in gentrifying cities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Gentrification, Urban transformation, Global Capital, Housing policies, Systematic Review
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	23 May 2025 09:37
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2025 10:09
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1198

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