Heritage Mexican cities under gentrification: Oaxaca city center circumstance

Abstract

This research paper aims to analyze the process of the tourist gentrification in the heritage city of Oaxaca, Mexico. Nowadays, the capital city of Oaxaca is experiencing siege by international tourists which has resulted in vary social and economic alterations. This leads real state price increases, elitization in commercial establishments, adaptations to the residences so they can be use as tourist accommodations as Airbnb. Directly or indirectly, all these elements promote a displacement and exclusion of the native inhabitants. This research is structured into a theoretical analysis of gentrification; tourist and international gentrification; heritage and cultural tourism, among others. The case study began since the UNESCO heritage declaration was given to Oaxaca; the evolution of the tourism activity downgraded its specialization; the wave of foreign inhabitants; and the real state siege. Throughout a brief historical tour of the city which is divided into three districts: Oaxaca Downtown, Xochimilco, and Jalatlaco. Census data addresses variables of population who were not born there; facilities focus on tourism and related to the gentrification (museums, hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafeterias), etc. It is concluded that Oaxaca experiences tourist and transnational gentrification through the variables: i) the historicity of the city, ii) establishments aimed at tourism, iii) activities aimed at art and culture, iv) waves of foreign population and real estate siege.