Progress of Gentrification Research in China: A Bibliometric Review

Gentrification, as a term introduced into China 20 years ago, has now become a topical word in scholarly discussion. This paper for the first time used the software of multiple pieces to analyze literature on gentrification between 1996 and 2017 in China based on bibliometrics, aiming to get the overview of the study, identify and expound the research themes, and analyze their evolution. It showed that the study on gentrification had entered into an exploratory stage with fluctuation from the early germination stage; gentrification research mainly concentrated on two disciplines, namely Geography and Urban and Rural Planning; the top 10 influential authors were identified and collaborative research teams leading the gentrification research had initially been formed. The themes of gentrification research in China were decided by visual analysis method, including urban renewal and dynamic mechanism of gentrification, evaluation and response to the effects of gentrification, new types of gentrification, and historical and cultural heritage conservation and creative industry, on which deeper content and information were described in detail. In terms of research themes evolution analysis, the results showed that the gentrification research in China had experienced the shift from initial concept and literature introduction to current empirical research and theory construction. There are significant signs showing the future trends of gentrification will move to the construction of a theoretical system of gentrification with Chinese characteristics, gentrification consequences evaluation and urban policies, new types of gentrification, gentrification driven by cultural consumption and authenticity protection of gentrification-stricken historical and cultural heritages, application of new technology to gentrification research, and relationship between shantytown renovation and gentrification in China. As to this paper, as far as the authors know, it is the first comprehensive systematic summary within this field based on bibliometric analysis.