The progression of gentrification
New buildings clash with the past
It is blatant that various suburbs in Melbourne are undergoing physical and social transformations to appease prospective wealthy buyers. The suburbs in Melbourne that have undergone gentrification include Footscray, Yarraville, and Werribee. However, this local issue reveals an ongoing global ethical dilemma that asks if gentrification is virtuous. One of the ways gentrification impacts individuals in those respective communities is property prices increasing which forces them to find a home elsewhere. Local businesses that operate in gentrified neighbourhoods are affected by rent increases which could lead to permanent closure. As seen above, a myriad of older appearing shops in Footscray do not maintain a clean exterior appearance because that is an aspect that does not hold importance to them culturally.
Businesses are working hard to catch up
After speaking to restaurant owner Abera, 49, from Café Lalibela located in Footscray it is clear that the suburb's rise in value has been affecting business owners along with locals. ''The rent has doubled for my business,'' Abera, 49, said. Abera also mentioned how a lot of buildings have been renovated and demolished.
''There is a new apartment building next to the Maribyrnong River and there is also new townhouses on Barkly Street.''
''There is a new apartment building next to the Maribyrnong River and there is also new townhouses on Barkly Street.''
The gentrification occurring in Footscray is well underway since there are rent increases and new buildings that are right next to old buildings. This represents the disparity between older and newer generations which can also be seen visibly on the streets.
Modern architecture hides a suburb's personality
''When I came here in 1992 from Ethiopia the suburb was once quiet which allowed for a culture to grow,'' Abera, 49, said. It is hard to see what Footscray once was with all the modern buildings created to hide old buildings. Architecture in neighbourhoods are important for individuals who are from and outside the area to be able to recognise when it was built. ''I miss when Footscray had character,'' Abera, 49, said. When passing through Footscray the most beautiful aspects of it was the dilapidated buildings. Although the surrounding councils and current property markets are opposed to this unique look. The imperfection on buildings bring more authenticity to the immigrant culture and reminds people where exactly their lives in Melbourne, Australia started.
A vacant land for over 20 years
A previous Footscray resident Azeb Beyan, 50, who is a Patient Services Assistant tells us that Footscray has potential for even more renovations.
''Ever since I lived in this unit apartment the empty land has been there,'' Ms Beyan, 50, said.
Although Footscray is undergoing plenty of development it is still slowly going through a process of modernisation. ''I now live in a house at Point Cook and believe that now the houses in Footscray are worth way more than mine,'' said Ms Beyan, 50, said. With Footscray being only 15 minutes away from Melbourne's Central Business District along with shopping centres it serves convenience to a younger generation that needs to commute to University or work.
''Ever since I lived in this unit apartment the empty land has been there,'' Ms Beyan, 50, said.
Although Footscray is undergoing plenty of development it is still slowly going through a process of modernisation. ''I now live in a house at Point Cook and believe that now the houses in Footscray are worth way more than mine,'' said Ms Beyan, 50, said. With Footscray being only 15 minutes away from Melbourne's Central Business District along with shopping centres it serves convenience to a younger generation that needs to commute to University or work.
How Footscray became known for having diverse cultures
The two interviewees, Abera and Ms Beyan stated they were both immigrants from Africa.
''When I first started my restaurant all the houses and properties for rent was cheap and that was what attracted immigrants to move here,'' Abera, 49, said.
''When I first started my restaurant all the houses and properties for rent was cheap and that was what attracted immigrants to move here,'' Abera, 49, said.
''I still commute here for my cultural ingredients" Ms Beyan, 50, said.
It is unethical to drive away people who are mostly from immigrant backgrounds away from living in Footscray because of the increased property value due to gentrification. It prevents immigrants or low-income individuals from being able to start their own lives in an affordable suburb.
Businesses adding more charm and convenience
According to one of the interviewee's, reveals that these recent renovations to Footscray have been an attempt to clean up its image and start a new identity.
Ms Beyan recalls how much Paisley St, Footscray has changed and transformed into a more civilian-friendly shopping precinct.
''When I first lived here I remember the time in this exact precinct where I was almost robbed by a threatening man looming behind me whilst using I was using the ATM.''
It is no surprise that Footscray have added businesses such as Anytime Fitness as seen in the image above to add more appeal to potentially younger audiences who are into self-improvement.
''When I first lived here I remember the time in this exact precinct where I was almost robbed by a threatening man looming behind me whilst using I was using the ATM.''
It is no surprise that Footscray have added businesses such as Anytime Fitness as seen in the image above to add more appeal to potentially younger audiences who are into self-improvement.
Savers is for everyone nowadays
One of the reasons why gentrification runs rampant in trendy cities such as Melbourne is the drive for realtors and suburban developers to make potential buyers desire for them to buy near suburbs close to the Melbourne city area.
When there is an influx in properties being rented and sold surrounding the city, it creates competition for individuals who live in those surrounding suburbs and new people.
Overall this leads to prices being dramatically increased and leaves individuals who could once live in a suburb they live in not be able to afford rent or cost of living expenses anymore. Ironically, Savers has been popularised due to social media trends of thrifting and has lead to prices of items to increase because of high demand. This means lower-middle class to higher-class individuals shop at the same places as those who are lower-class individuals.
It is a representation of how the development of a suburb's image affects ways in which people consume products or services from that suburb.
Split down the middle
This image that portrays both the past and present reflects the current state of Footscray. It remains to be in an oxymoronic image which what makes it delicate but also vulnerable to drastic change. Although developers want to forget the past and create a new look for the suburb it is time-consuming to completely restore. It is unfortunate that the history is forgotten once the buildings are demolishes or renovated and memories of the suburb for the local civilians disappear.
''I heard they want to build a bar from the Franco Cozzo business'', Abera, 49, said.
The new buildings will soon overlook more modern buildings that are of the similar quality to them.
Empty land for new opportunities
An issue that is noticed when looking into Footscray is that there are too many projects that are ongoing that seem like no progress is being done. The barren land illustrates how neglectful gentrification is to a suburb's sense of comfortability with seeing houses that all look stylistically the same.
The land not being used could potentially be made into a house or multiple houses that could be more affordable rather than be vacant to the council or its owners. Seeing unused land makes the suburb eerie and feel unfinished which is a disservice to locals who have originally lived there. If suburb development was not so greedy in the way they viewed buildings and land for commodity then purposeful enhancements to the suburb could be implemented.
The gentrification game in Melbourne
Ultimately, older and dilapidating suburbs are pawns in the game for building developers. Hypothetically, if suburb developers were not restricted by the protection of heritage sites they would tare down historic sites such as the St John's Anglican Church. Once buildings are torn down and there is no restoration or an attempt to suburbs can become lifeless and unliveable. Arguably, the quirks of a suburb like Footscray is what makes it affordable, however this is being taken advantage of by greedy suburb developers.
Essentially, the quirks in a suburb are what allows for diverse cultures and individuals from difficult circumstances to feel comfortable enough to live there without being bothered.
When can people live restfully knowing their community will not be destroyed?
