Gentrification in La Petite-Patrie. Which Place and which Power for the Elderly ?
For aging residents, their neighbourhood becomes more important than before. In a dynamic of “disengagement,” their geographical area tends to decrease. Social relations gradually become limited to people who live in the neighbourhood, which also provides a sense of security. Consequently, “ageing in place” has become a burgeoning topic in gerontology. But in a neighbourhood undergoing changes, what are the repercussions for older residents? This study seeks to understand older residents’ perceptions of Montreal’s neighbourhood La Petite-Patrie, its evolution and its impact on their day-to-day lives. These changes, some of which are related to gentrification, are combined with “disengagement” and make older adults (especially the less wealthy ones), increasingly invisible and excluded from public spaces.