News articles

Leslie Kern in conversation with Gesa Witthöft

Invitation to the book launch and discussion on 4 May 2023

Several flyers lie on top of each other with a photo of Leslie Kern

[Translate to English:]

[Translate to English:]

Gentrification - what exactly is that? Something about displacement in the city? And can we do something about it?

In an essayistic and entertaining way, Leslie Kern provides a comprehensive overview of the debates on gentrification since the 1950s: What does it encompass, who benefits from it and who is displaced by it? We join the author on her travels to Toronto, New York, London and Paris, where she explores the myths and lies of the new urban crisis, making clear that violent displacement is closely linked to classism, racism and sexism and is a continuation of the colonial project.

As part of her reading tour, Leslie Kern will present her book "Gentrification is Inevitable and Other Lies", which has now been translated into German. Gesa Witthöft will comment on Leslie Kern's theses and report on the situation in Vienna. The event will be held mainly in English.

Leslie Kern is Associate Professor of Geography and Ecology and Director of Women's and Gender Studies at Mount Allison University in Canada. She teaches geography with a focus on urban, social and feminist movements.

Gesa Witthöft is an urban planner at the Research Unit Sociology, Institute of Spatial Planning, TU Wien and a consultant in the field of social urban renewal, socially oriented urban development, participation and process management.

Please register at ubc@facultas.at.

Venue: Facultas Universitätsbuchhandlung am Campus, Alser Straße 4/1/2/1, 1090 Vienna.

Time: 4 May, 2023, 7 pm