Editing Brixton (section)

===2000s: Regeneration vs Gentrification===
[[File:Brixton Market 2.JPG|thumb|Brixton Market]]
There has been, and there remains great debate regarding whether Brixton's recent renaissance should be deemed regeneration or [[gentrification]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/24/london-race |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Philip |last=Dayle |title=Brixton: regeneration or gentrification? |date=24 October 2010 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421091052/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/24/london-race |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/datablog/2016/jan/14/how-has-brixton-really-changed-the-data-behind-the-story |title=How has Brixton really changed? The data behind the story |author=Sarah Marsh |date=14 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 February 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117055226/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/datablog/2016/jan/14/how-has-brixton-really-changed-the-data-behind-the-story |url-status=live }}</ref> Some believe the area has slowly undergone a process of gentrification since the 1990s and has resulted in many wealthy middle-class people taking advantage of the area's location and the thriving [[Bohemianism|bohemian]] art scene. However, others argue that the area is undergoing exciting regeneration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thehappinessprojectlondon.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/the-brixton-rennaissance |title=The Brixton {{Sic |nolink=y|ren|naissance}} |publisher=The Happiness Project London |date=21 November 2009 |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105162010/http://thehappinessprojectlondon.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/the-brixton-rennaissance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://spacemakers.org.uk/brixton/shops/ |title=Shops and more at Brixton Village – Space Makers Agency |website=Spacemakers.org.uk |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=29 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529122052/http://spacemakers.org.uk/brixton/shops/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/travel-deal/bohemian-style-arty-hubs-to-see-and-be-seen/london-s-brixton-market-revamp |title=London's Brixton Market revamp: Bohemian style: arty hubs to see and be seen |website=Easyvoyage.co.uk |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406063544/http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/travel-deal/bohemian-style-arty-hubs-to-see-and-be-seen/london-s-brixton-market-revamp |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years, Brixton has hosted a regular farmers' market on Station Road, as well as [[Pop-up restaurant]]s and pop-up shops. New art galleries, delicatessens, bars, cafes and vintage clothing stores, particularly in and around Brixton Village Market have also opened, which some believe is gentrifying the area in a similar way to that in nearby [[Clapham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brixtonblog.com/comment-gentrification-of-brixton-leaves-me-conflicted/4405 |title=COMMENT: Gentrification of Brixton leaves me conflicted |publisher=Brixton Blog |date=26 April 2012 |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=26 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426073536/http://www.brixtonblog.com/comment-gentrification-of-brixton-leaves-me-conflicted/4405 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:London - Pop Brixton.jpg|thumb|left|Pop Brixton]]
Pop Brixton exemplifies the ongoing discussion about regeneration. Originally created as a [[community project]], opinion is divided over whether Pop fulfils its intentions of being part of the local community, with some arguing that Pop is seen as just another tourist and retail attraction, and that the council did not meaningfully engage with Brixton residents. Others have welcomed its arrival for its entrepreneurial approach and benefiting [[start-ups]], and that it brings people into the area which has benefited trade and its popularity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://brixtonblog.com/2016/06/pop-brixtons-first-year/38221/ |title=Pop Brixton's first year |work=Brixton Blog |date=14 June 2016 |access-date=2 February 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202152243/https://brixtonblog.com/2016/06/pop-brixtons-first-year/38221/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/02/view-brixton-how-bridge-gentrification-s-stark-divides |title=A view from Brixton: how to bridge gentrification's stark divides |date=1 February 2017 |work=New Statesman |access-date=2 February 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202152226/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/02/view-brixton-how-bridge-gentrification-s-stark-divides |url-status=live |last1=Thapar |first1=Ciaran }}</ref>

In April 2015, a Reclaim Brixton protest was held by local residents and activists opposing gentrification.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/24553/1/reclaim-brixton-one-neighbourhood-unites-against-developers |title=Reclaim Brixton: one neighbourhood unites against developers |date=27 April 2015 |author=Daisy Bata |work=Dazed |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618054706/https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/24553/1/reclaim-brixton-one-neighbourhood-unites-against-developers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/thousands-set-to-attend-reclaim-brixton-rally-as-campaigners-protest-against-gentrification-10158208.html |title=Thousands set to attend Reclaim Brixton rally as campaigners protest against gentrification |date=9 April 2015 |work=Evening Standard |author=Alexandra Rucki |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104542/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/thousands-set-to-attend-reclaim-brixton-rally-as-campaigners-protest-against-gentrification-10158208.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2016, a campaign to save the businesses that occupy the railway arches commenced, with long-running local businesses being forced out due to rent-rises. The council passed the plans for [[Network Rail]] to refurbish them in August.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.egi.co.uk/news/redeveloping-brixton-arches-at-what-price/ |title=Redeveloping Brixton Arches: but at what price? |author=Janie Manzoori-Stamford |date=12 August 2016 |work=Radius Real Estate |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110034333/https://www.egi.co.uk/news/redeveloping-brixton-arches-at-what-price/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2019, plans for a 20-storey tower block providing office space were unveiled by [[Taylor McWilliams]], a Texan property developer whose company Hondo Enterprises had bought [[Brixton Market]] in 2018. This plan drew a large opposition from the local community and campaign groups, already concerned with the threat of eviction of a popular local supermarket.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/02/regeneration-fight-local-people-global-finance-london-brixton |title='Regeneration' is too often an unfair fight between local people and global finance |author=Anna Minton |work=The Guardian |date=2 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104074814/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/02/regeneration-fight-local-people-global-finance-london-brixton |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/world/europe/brixton-london-eviction-grocer-nour.html |title='He's Buying Up Brixton': Beloved Grocer's Eviction Sparks Gentrification Fight |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Adam Satariano |date=6 July 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110154119/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/world/europe/brixton-london-eviction-grocer-nour.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite a petition and overwhelming opposition, council planners approved the development on 3 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/texan-dj-developer-wins-campaign-to-build-massive-tower-block-in-south-london/ |title=Texan DJ Developer Wins Campaign To Build Massive Tower Block in South London |author=Ruby Lott-Lavigna |date=4 November 2020 |work=Vice |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104140821/https://www.vice.com/en/article/4addm9/texan-dj-developer-wins-campaign-to-build-massive-tower-block-in-south-london |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lambeth-council-approves-20-storey-hondo-tower-in-the-middle-of-brixton-after-petition-raises-thousands-of-objections/ |title=Lambeth council approves 20-storey 'Hondo Tower' in the middle of Brixton after petition raises thousands of objections |author=Grainne Cuffe |work=South London Press |date=4 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104153142/https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lambeth-council-approves-20-storey-hondo-tower-in-the-middle-of-brixton-after-petition-raises-thousands-of-objections/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, following a long campaign by protestors, the developer withdrew the planning application in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=‘The battle for the tower is won’: Inside the three-year fight to block Hondo Tower in Brixton |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/news/the-battle-for-the-tower-is-won-inside-the-three-year-fight-to-block-hondo-tower-in-brixton/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=South London News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

2023 saw the council begin the public consultation for the regeneration of 6 Canterbury Crescent (International House) and 49 Brixton Station Road (Pop Brixton).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Mike |date=2023-01-15 |title=Lambeth Council invites public to help shape the redevelopment of Pop Brixton and International House |url=https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2023/01/lambeth-council-invites-public-to-help-shape-the-redevelopment-of-pop-brixton-and-international-house/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |language=en-GB}}</ref>