“Passive” Ecological Gentrification Triggered by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Urban areas can be conceptualized as large and ever-changing playgrounds in which many diverse agents (households, businesses, developers, municipalities, etc.) are active. The interactions between the playground qualities players’ preferences not unidirectional. However, sometimes, external events may change perception of player’s eyes. recent Covid-19 pandemic its associated precautionary measures a clear example. During pandemic, value existing urban green infrastructures has increased, lockdowns were imposed, distance working became widespread. concept “passive” ecological gentrification is developed order to characterize this type process. In contrast with “active” gentrification, caused by purposeful intervention arena, triggered context, such impacts. This article focuses on appreciation urbanites during showing that willingness pay live near open spaces increased general, but significant spatial differences. main research questions are: (a) How does playground’s times pandemic? (b) Do these changes support emergence gentrification? methodology based analysis property values over time an indirect measure location’s appeal, looking specifically at infrastructures, both inner city peripheral areas. Relatively possible indicator ongoing processes: When they observed related redevelopment initiatives, result. Using detailed data land use prices from Netherlands, we find evidence supports hypothesis drift towards around parks general.