Reflections on the concept and occurrence of the gentrification process in the Parque Histórico do Pelourinho, Salvador – BA

Abstract

Gentrification is an urban process that usually occurs in central or downtown historic neighborhoods. Being associated with the transformations that took place soon after the decade of 1930, it implies the replacement of a low-income population by another, more prosperous, one. These characteristics provide this object of study with a specific spatial, historical and social outline. The analysis of the gentrification process can be divided into three stages. The first presents a reflection on the concept, the second analyzes some case studies, and the third discusses the case study of the Parque Histórico do Pelourinho (Historic Park of Pelourinho), in the city of Salvador, which encompasses three traditional neighborhoods: Maciel, Carmo and Santo Antonio Além do Carmo.