‘Kun jij de Kaap Aan?’ Impact of government-led and culture-led gentrification on social cohesion in Katendrecht, Rotterdam

This research paper studies the influence of the redevelopment policies published by Rotterdam Municipality on the transformation of social cohesion in Katendrecht, the neighborhood of Rotterdam South. While being a red-light area, Chinatown and deprived neighborhood in the past, today Katendrecht is associated with the hip Fenix Food Factory and an upcoming area of Rotterdam. The introduction of cultural amenities as a result of redevelopment policies has changed the perception of the area among the general public and led to the extreme case of gentrification. This research studies the influence of gentrification process on the neighborhood community from the perspective of both old and new residents. The paper approaches the three different sides of this problem. Firstly, it analyzes the local policies which refer to the revitalization of Katendrecht. Secondly, it looks at the urban transformations in socio-economic and physical landscapes that have happened from 2008 to 2022. Thirdly, it approaches the perspectives of residents on their experience of living in Katendrecht, changes in the area and social cohesion with the community. To study these three perspectives, methodological triangulation was used. The thesis focuses on theoretical literature review, case-study of Katendrecht (policy-analysis and urban observation) and interviews with residents as the main methods of study. The main findings of this research prove that Rotterdam municipality has used gentrification as a strategy for the urban revitalization of Katendrecht. It aimed to create a liveable and socially mixed residential neighborhood to attract the middle- and high-classes and investments. The main steps included the construction of middle-class housing and the development of the creative, cultural and catering industries, which would target this social group. As a result, Katendrecht has been experiencing major socio-economic and physical changes, while gentrification has spread to the industrial part of the neighborhood, which was earlier considered an important part of the neighborhood’s identity. These changes have greatly influenced the deterioration of the original family-like community of the Kaapers, leading to segregation between the old and new residents. However, this thesis has found that while social cohesion was weakened on the neighborhood level, it is present on smaller social groups level which share common norms, values and behavior. Therefore, it concludes that the revitalization policies, which focused on the development of the creative sector and promotion of the original identity of Katendrecht, led to gentrifying urban changes, weakening the overall social cohesion in the neighborhood.