The influence of tourism on commercial gentrification in Jonker Street, Melaka

Abstract

This research explores the effect of tourism that led to the commercial gentrification in Jonker Street, Malacca. The commercial gentrification process brings positive and negative impacts to the residents in their communities. In Jonker Street, the revitalization of the economies can be seen from the emergences of business activities by the multinational company and local company entry with emergence of cafe, multi chain retail, hotel and restaurant. Residential displacement driven by this process of tourism activity has been noted by several authors. The commercial gentrification process seems as the important part into changing the places into more friendly for both visitor and resident as it improves the quality of the facilities and quality of life. Furthermore, this research also summarizes the effect of commercial gentrification and the policies that have been implements. This research is a qualitative where in depth interview, observation and Instagram survey are use and also secondary data to develop the themes for the findings. The total of five themes have been identified to answer the objectives one and two. Moreover, there are policies that have been review after the Control of Rent (Repeal) Act 1997. In conclusion of the analysis, the development of the city as renown tourism attraction arouses the indirect displacement pressures whereby the exclusion constrains the quality of life that in long term make them seek migration into other places.