L’augmentation du coût du logement est un phénomène observé dans plusieurs villes canadiennes et Montréal n’en fait pas exception. À l’intérieur même de la métropole québécoise, cette croissance s’effectue à l’échelle de certains arrondissements comme celui de Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. En effet, l’augmentation du coût du logement y est significative et amène les chercheurs à parler de gentrification résidentielle. Cette étude approfondit la réflexion de ce processus de transformation socioéconomique du quartier en intégrant l’aspect commercial de la gentrification. En effet, depuis plusieurs années le développement commercial de la Promenade Masson est orienté vers une offre de produits de meilleure qualité, plus raffinés et plus huppés. Par différentes initiatives, les commerçants vont même jusqu’à offrir une expérience d’achat au consommateur pour créer un lien affectif entre ce dernier et le commerce. C’est ce qui nous amène à considérer le paysage alimentaire comme espace dynamique et complexe qui rejoint la conception tripartite de l’espace de David Harvey. Ainsi, nous abordons le paysage alimentaire en considérant les dimensions absolue, relative et relationnelle de ce dernier. Suivant cette mise en contexte, nous nous questionnons sur le lien entre la gentrification commerciale et l’évolution du paysage alimentaire. Aussi, ce projet de recherche identifie 1) l’évolution sociale, démographique et économique du quartier entre 1996 et 2016; 2) l’évolution des commerces alimentaires de la Promenade Masson depuis les années 2000 et 3) la mobilisation du paysage alimentaire par les consommateurs. / The increase in the cost of housing is a phenomenon observed in several Canadian cities and Montreal is no exception. Even within the Quebec metropolis, this growth is taking place in certain boroughs such as Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. Indeed, the increase in the cost of housing is significant and leads researchers to speak of residential gentrification. This study deepens the reflection of this process of socio-economic transformation of the district by integrating the commercial aspect of gentrification. Indeed, for several years now, the commercial development of Promenade Masson has been oriented towards offering better quality, more refined and more upscale products. Through various initiatives, merchants are even going so far as to offer a shopping experience to the consumer to create an emotional link between the consumer and the business. This is what leads us to consider the food landscape as a dynamic and complex space that is in keeping with David Harvey's tripartite conception of space. Thus, we approach the food landscape by considering its absolute, relative and relational dimensions. Following this contextualization, we question the link between commercial gentrification and the evolution of the food landscape. This research project also identifies 1) the social, demographic and economic evolution of the neighbourhood between 1996 and 2016; 2) the evolution of the food stores on Promenade Masson since the 2000s and 3) the mobilization of the food landscape by consumers.

<p>Since the 1960’s, post industrial downtowns across North America and Europe have suffered economic and population losses. Downtown revitalization theory is now a major subject in urban geography. Although each city is unique and requires customized revitalization techniques, certain approaches have worked better than others. Hamilton, Ontario, is a city of roughly 520,000 located just outside the Greater Toronto Area. Its downtown has struggled since the 1970’s. In the last ten years, however, certain areas of downtown have shown signs of revitalization. Conversation about this change has largely focused on attracting creative industries. King Street, Hamilton’s most downtown street, has yet to experience significant improvement, but is surrounded by changing areas and expected to follow suit. This study looks at two theories of revitalization: the Creative Capital theory, and the Main Street approach. It also discusses commercial gentrification. City officials and business owners along King Street were interviewed about what they expect for King Street downtown. Business owners, this study found, are underutilized agents of revitalization in the area. They want and expect the area to improve, but have yet to make significant changes to their own establishments. More could be done to include incumbent business owners in King Street's revitalization processes in Hamilton, and to acknowledge them as agents of change within the commercial gentrification literature.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)