5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Gentrification, the transformation of neighborhoods from low to high value, is also known as urban renewal, urban redevelopment, neighborhood change, revitalization, redlining, or urban regeneration. As cities worldwide undergo gentrification infrastructure transformations and cost of living increases, older adults face unique challenges in maintaining their homes, social networks, and access to services (e.g., food security, transportation, housing, etc.). Gentrification affects a community’s identity, reduces trust and reciprocal relationships facilitating neighbors helping neighbors, and leads to older adults’ social isolation and inability to remain in place. Gentrification can be a place-based stressor associated with older adults’ poorer health. Interdisciplinary perspectives can explore how these urban processes impact the physical, mental, and social well-being of older residents. Gentrification’s impact varies by environment or place, social vulnerabilities, and intersectional statuses (e.g., socioeconomic status, race, ethnic or gender identity, sexuality, and migration status) differentially influencing health outcomes. Researchers globally have examined the impact of gentrification on older adults in neighborhood settings. Fullilove and Wallace (2011) highlight the “root shock” concept’s detrimental effects on long-term residents' health in the United States. Buffel and Phillipson (2019) explore gentrifying neighborhoods in the United Kingdom, and Wiles et al. (2012) explore aging in place in New Zealand. This symposium hopes to expand upon existing research, incorporating multinational perspectives and community resistance strategies. We encourage research addressing gentrification and displacement in terms of older adults’ health and well-being, relationship to social vulnerabilities/health disparities, age-friendly cities, and community solutions (e.g., advocacy, programs, policies, or interventions to protect older adults).