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GENTRIFICATION Definition, Types of Intervention, Definition, of intervention, ConcernsTypes of Gentrification Concerns International Journal of Forecasting 25 (2009) 716–733
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijforecast
Decision
By Mr. George-Sp. C. ATHANASOPOULOS Introduction Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Student, making and planning under low levels of predictability By Mr. George-Sp. C. ATHANASSOPOULOS Architect Student of the School of Architecture b,1 Technical University of Crete Spyros Makridakis a,∗ , Nassim Taleb
a INSEAD, Boulevard de Constance, 77305 Fontainebleau, France 1. Introductory approach: Defining the concept b Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Department of Finance and Risk Engineering, Six MetroTech Center, Rogers Hall 517, 1. Introductory approach: the concept (444 BC - 370 BC, Athens), Brooklyn,philosopher, NY 11201, USA ANTISTHENIS, the ancientDefining Greek ANTISTHENIS, the ancient Greek philosopher, BC -“principle”: 370 BC, Athens), among other wise heritage he left us, he established(444 a great the among other wise heritage leftthe us,definition he established a greatof“principle”: acquisition of knowledge startshe with of the content concepts. the acquisition of knowledge starts with theindefinition the content of concepts. Based, therefore, on this “principle” a first, if of not final, approach, the term Abstract 1 (and urban Based, therefore, on this “principle” is inindicated a first, if (in notthe final, approach, the term gentrification) area of Planning) (or gentrification 1 (and urban gentrification) is indicated (in the area of Planning) (or gentrification This specialas section aimsas to the demonstrate the limited high level of uncertainty in practically all important Sociology well), “refining” of apredictability city area,and the removal from this, (in various areas of our the implications of this. summarizes huge body ofplacement solid empirical evidence accumulated Sociology asand well), as the “refining” of a citythearea, fromthere this, of (in variousover ways), oflives, social groups, usually ofIt low-income andthe theremoval artists, the past several decades that proves the disastrous consequences of inaccurate forecasts in areas ranging from the economy and ways), of social groups, usually of low-income and the placement there of artists, the operation art galleries, restaurants, However this “change”, of alike, business to floods andof medicine. The big problem is, however,etc. that the great majority of people, decisionregardless and policy makers the operation of art galleries, restaurants, etc. However this “change”, regardless of still believe not other only that consequences accurate forecasting ishas, possible, but also also that uncertainty reliably assessed. Reality, however, whatever results rising can of beland prices (and the shows otherwise, as this special section proves. This paper discusses forecasting accuracy and uncertainty, and distinguishes whatever other consequences has, results also rising of land prices (and the potential relative speculation). three distinct types of predictions: those relying on patterns for forecasting, those utilizing relationships as their basis, and those potential relative speculation). Thehuman term gentrification found atoffirst in theInUK in early 1960s andand it refers tofacing for which judgment is the majorisdeterminant the forecast. addition, the major problems challenges Theand term gentrification found firstreliably in the UK in early and refers forecasters the reasons why uncertainty cannot be at assessed discussed using 1960s fourin large data it sets. Thereof isto also a the then observed trend ofiswealthy people toare buy property poor areas summary of the eleven papers included thiswealthy special section, as well as concluding remarks theare need the then observed trend people tosome buy property inemphasizing poor areas ofto be London, upgrade them, stayinof themselves sometimes there and thus old residents rational and realistic about our expectations and avoid the common delusions related to forecasting. London, upgrade them, stay themselves sometimes there and thus old residents are being indirectly “squeezed”. c 2009 International Institute of Forecasters. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. being indirectly “squeezed”. A description of this phenomenon is included in the work of Sociologist Ruth Keywords: Accuracy; Uncertainty; Low level predictability; Non-normalin forecasting errors; Judgmental predictions Ruth A Forecasting; description ofperiod, this phenomenon is situations included the recorded work of Sociologist GLASS at the same while similar were in other major GLASS at the same period, situations were recorded in other major cities in Western countries, bywhile othersimilar Researchers. in Western countries, by other Researchers. 1.cities Introduction all forecasters dismal. Worse, the accuracy Since then, the issue has preoccupied almost several scholarsis and for its more ofseveral “scientific”scholars forecasters and is often no its better than that Since then, the issue has preoccupied for more comprehensive being below, from the various The unknown future approach is a source of are anxiety, givingsummarized of simple benchmarks (e.g. today’s value, or some comprehensive approach are being summarized below, from the various interpretations of the of gentrification, the following: rise to a strong human need phenomenon to predict it in order to average). In addition, the basis of their predictions is interpretations of theitsphenomenon thecategory following: reduce, ideally the eliminate, inherent is uncertainty. In aorsense, phenomenon dueof togentrification, a trend ofasa doubtful new ofaugurs socialand groups often as those of astrologists. The demand for forecasts has created an ample supply In the area of economics, who predicted the subprime to “return” to the city, leaving the purlieus for several reasons: high costs in money of “experts” to fulfill it, from augurs and astrologists to and credit crunch crises,place the Internet bubble, the Asian and timeand to travel purlieus to downtown, where work is, lack of the economists businessfrom gurus. the Yet the track record of contagion, the real estate and savingswas and born loans crises, 1. The term comes from Sociologist Ruth GLASS, 1912-1940. Ruth GLASS sense of safety at the distributed residencies outside town centres, search for betterin American lending calamity, the other Berlin, where she made her first studies. In 1932 the sheLatin published an important study and entitled: ∗ Corresponding editor. Tel.: education, +30 6977661144. entertainment “at the heart of the city”, (possibly) services of health, major disasters? In business, who “predicted” Youth Unemployment. The same year she left Germany and after continuous movements for the E-mail addresses: smakrid@otenet.gr (S. Makridakis), lower living cost of,(N. “withdrawal” from private car access to markets, etc.whereAIG, collapse of Lehman Bear Stearns, studies and research in Geneva, Prague, London and Neweasier York she cameBrothers, back to London, nnt@fooledbyrandomness.com Taleb). 1inTel.: 1943 she studies cityphenomenon planning. 1950 she teacher in the Enron orIn WorldCom (in the and Northern Rock, +1 718 260 published 3599; +1 718 260approach, 3355.regarding According tofax: another the is due tobecame a USA), systematic and University informal College of London, where she continued her social research. brokers Her public action and long-term effort by organized groups, manufacturers, of buying c 2009 International 0169-2070/$ - see front matter Institute of justice. Forecasters.See Published Elsevier B.V.ENGLISH All rights reserved. her work are characterized by a passion for also:byCOLLINS DICTIONARY. and selling realCOLLINS estate, etc., for theCodepreciation initially of part of the urban web, in doi:10.1016/j.ijforecast.2009.05.013 10th edit. Wil. SONS AND Ltd. London 2009. WIKIPEDIA: The Free Encyclopedia: G. ALEXANDRI: http://www.uncanny.net/ wetzel/gentry.htm a Gentrification: variety of ways, in order Abstract. to achieve the “assisted”, “voluntary”, (actually
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