The Vicious Cycle of Skateboarder-led Gentrification | Skaters make bad areas safe then lose spots to greedy developers
Just like artists, skateboarders lead the charge into some sketchy areas, eventually the bad guys leave, it turns into a legit skate spot, then in come the hipsters with their overpriced coffee shops. That’s the final blow right there because behind them are the greedy developers who sell it off to the highest bidder and they DO NOT want skateboarders around. Off to the next spot!
Skateboarders have long been the ‘shock troops of gentrification’ and now where is it more visible than London’s world famous ‘South Bank.’ Once a no-go zone, skateboarders made it safe and then before long it started getting destroyed. Long Live South Bank has been trying to save it for awhile.
Get caught up on the whole battle below and look out for battles in your own town and do what you can to save skateboarding.
Click to THE GUARDIAN to read: How skaters make cities safer + the fight to save the Southbank skate spot
Follow BOARD RAP on Insta for more updates.
