Study on Green Gentrification Mechanisms and Residents’ Satisfaction in Chinese New Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Area Surrounding Julong Lake Park

Abstract

As China’s urbanization rate continues to rise, new cities are constantly being built, and the popularity of sustainable concepts has led to the development of numerous green infrastructure projects. The increase in green resources has improved the overall urban environment, but this environmental improvement can lead to local stratification and give rise to a phenomenon known as “green gentrification”. Green gentrification can enhance neighborhood vitality but may also lead to negative consequences, such as the displacement of indigenous populations. This study primarily focuses on whether there is residential segregation and social differentiation between indigenous residents and newcomers due to green gentrification and whether they hold different views on green infrastructure. To address these issues and advance the cause of urban fairness and justice, break down neighborhood segregation, and promote community integration, we conducted satisfaction surveys and in-depth personal interviews with indigenous residents and newcomers regarding the Julong Lake facility, their individual circumstances, and the neighborhood relationships. The survey results revealed the following: (1) Both the indigenous residents and the newcomers expressed a relatively high satisfaction with the sports facilities at Julong Lake, but both groups reported a lower satisfaction with the neighborhood relationships. (2) The indigenous residents exhibited a lower satisfaction compared to the newcomers regarding the commercial facilities, social attributes, and green infrastructure surrounding Julong Lake. Additionally, the overall satisfaction with Julong Lake was lower for the indigenous residents compared to the newcomers. We synthesized the survey results and personal interviews with the indigenous residents and the newcomers and arrived at the following conclusions: (1) In the context of urbanization and uneven distribution of green resources in urban areas, the integration of suburban green resources with real estate development has given rise to the new phenomenon of an emerging green middle class, primarily driven by green resources. (2) The new residents exhibited higher satisfaction levels with Julong Lake park attributes and their personal circumstances compared to the long-term residents. This suggests a “green preference” among the new residents, leading to social stratification among the long-term residents driven by cultural aesthetics and value pursuits. The result of this is a stratification and adjacent residential segregation between the long-term residents and the newcomers. (3) The emerging green middle class areas have, on the one hand, promoted the migration of capital, middle-class populations, and green resources to the suburbs, to some extent favoring suburban green development. In conclusion, we hope that this research can help facilitate more equitable allocation of green resources in cities, formulate more optimal green policies, and promote harmonious coexistence and the sharing of the benefits of green development among residents of different income levels in urban areas.