The relationship between habitus and spatiality in the context of rural gentrification

Abstract

The present paper aims to explore the relationship between spatial practices as defined by Bourdieu’s (spatial) habitus and rural gentrification. An important theme of the sociology of Bourdieu is the reproduction of social inequalities, which has a strong spatial aspect. The theme of rural gentrification provides us with an excellent platform to examine the contribution to the (re)production of social inequalities made by the mobility of certain fractions of the middle class to small rural settlements, and to study the perception of the countryside, the spatial dispositions it contains and the spatial practices it generates, as determined by the specific habitus of urban intellectuals. In interpreting rural gentrification, we apply the modified habitus theory (introduced by Bridge (2001) in his explanation of metropolitan gentrification) to the analysis of 45 semi-structured in-depth interviews from two fields of “The Role of Gentrification in Rural Development” research. Our results suggest that the gentrifiers are characterised by a mixed spatial habitus, with a focus on the benefits of both rural and urban life. The spatial habitus and practices of gentrifiers fit well into a middle-class strategy of distinction. Their spatial habitus is characterised by activity: they have a relatively high past and present spatial radius of action and actively shape rural space according to their own tastes and interests. This process necessarily involves a degree of displacement of indigenous peoples. Thus, the gentrifiers’ activity can be interpreted as a ‚smart’ class strategy of increasing the space for manoeuvre, creating an advantageous (but labour-intensive) position for themselves, but without any overwhelming benefits for the indigenous people.