Migrant Food Entrepreneurs and Gentrification in Lombok

Abstract

In this research, I investigate the relations at play between migrant entrepreneurship and gentrification in the neighbourhood of Lombok in Utrecht. A specific focus is set on food entrepreneurs due to the socio-cultural relevance food has for immigrant communities. Gentrification and its effects on the population of a neighbourhood and on the existing businesses established there have been extensively studied. The worldwide phenomenon has received much attention, both in media and academia. Gentrification is commonly seen as achieving consistently negative outcomes for local residents and businesses. However, previous research on the subject suggests that the relationship between gentrification and migrant entrepreneurs is more complex. It cannot only be thought of as defined by retail gentrification. In many cities, migrant entrepreneurs are concentrated in areas with high immigrant populations. Their socio-cultural importance confers them with an invaluable role in the inclusion of immigrants in these cities. However, the appeal of culturally diverse neighbourhoods can often be a factor in gentrification. The case study of Lombok is a neighbourhood containing a large immigrant population and numerous migrant-owned businesses and is currently experiencing gentrification. A series of in-depth interviews with migrant food entrepreneurs were conducted during the process of this research. I employ the notion of “the right to the city” to explore and understand how migrant food entrepreneurs in Lombok contest the process of gentrification. Moreover, I use the concept of “mixed embeddedness” to grasp how migrant food entrepreneurs are affected by the changes caused by gentrification and how they adapt to them. The research findings indicate that migrant food entrepreneurship in Utrecht is changing. Some shops are facing closure. On the other hand, some migrant food entrepreneurs adapt to the neighbourhood's changing demographics, and some even become agents of gentrification.