Urbani izziv Volume 30, No. supplement, February 2019
: 178-193
(Articles)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2019-30-supplement-012
Author
James J. GREGORY
Department of Geography, Environmental Management & Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
jamesg@uj.ac.za
Jayne M. ROGERSON
School of Tourism & Hospitality, College of Business and Economics,, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
jayner@uj.ac.za
Title
Studentification and commodification of student lifestyle in
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Abstract
The process of studentification has emerged as a new form of neighbourhood change in the global North over
the past 16 years and often situated within broader debates on gentrification. The growth of private student
housing across cities globally has been linked to the increased neoliberalisation and massification of higher
education and the lack of universities to keep up with the supply of student housing. Limited scholarship,
however, exists on studentification in the global South. Notwithstanding that, in South Africa there has been
growing recognition of the impact of studentification on urban environments. Despite some recognition in
smaller cities, studentification has been neglected in large urban contexts. Using interviews with key informants
and focus groups with students, this paper explores the impact of studentification in the urban neighbourhood of
Braamfontein in Johannesburg. Over the past decade and a half there has been evidence of the concentration of
student geographies and the commodification of student lifestyle in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Key Words
studentification, student lifestyle, commodification, Johannesburg