Nuances of Touristification and Gentrification in Mexico: Socio-spatial Impacts in the Roma-Condesa Neighborhood and San Miguel de Allende’s Heritage District

Abstract

In Mexico, since the last two decades of the 20th century, many urban renewals and heritage renovations involve a physical improvement or urban image-upgrading for tourists. This improvement often implies the displacement of original inhabitants, as some scholars have noted. This work explores the touristification and gentrification effects on the heritage sectors of Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende in the second decade of the 21st century. This research will address the presence and appropriation of housing space by foreign floating populations to characterize touristification and gentrification recently labeled as transnational. The leading indicators are the number of foreign inhabitants and tourist housing units registered on Airbnb, the real estate market trends, and the analysis of urban policies regarding strategies that seek to make tourism and privileged populations the engine for urban growth. The results show touristic and transnational appropriation of the most relevant heritage buildings and housing spaces. The historical centralities, primarily for foreigners and transit populations, are felt only for foreign capital and large developers in a real estate market. It also fosters segregation in social and consumer practices. Mainly, the study documents the shortage of housing supply for permanent and long-term popular classes.