Socio-Spatial Transformations in the Norwest Area of Merida’s Downtown. Touristification, Recreational Turn and Gentrification

Abstract

This text addresses the main socio-spatial transformations that took place in the Norwest area of Merida’s downtown as a consequence of the impulse of public policies created by both, the municipal and state governments. This has favored those processes known in Academia as touristification, recreational turn and gentrification. These are transformations that gave a new stamp to the study area materialized with the diversification of the population through the arrival of new residents and tourists, with the beautification of streets and parks, with the renovation of facades, with the remodeling of the interior of the colonial houses and with the appearance of a much more sophisticated commercial and service offer that creates a new way of inhabiting this part of the city destined above all for leisure, consumption and recreation of certain sectors of population with socioeconomic advantages and appreciable cultural capital.