Analysis of the processes of gentrification and the development of touristification in Villa de Leyva

Resumo

This article analyzes the processes of gentrification and touristification in Villa de Leyva, focusing on their impact on land use, local communities and the urban structure of the municipality. The question is posed: how do these processes influence land use change and what effects do they have on the population and the urban environment? The research adopts a qualitative approach, using the measurement of land use change based on the European Space Agency (ESA) WorldCover 2021 version and on-site interviews. The results show that increasing touristification has generated a significant transformation in land use, with an expansion of commercial establishments and tourist accommodations to the detriment of traditional housing. This has led to an increase in living costs, making it difficult for local inhabitants to stay and promoting their displacement. Likewise, gentrification has favored the arrival of new residents with greater purchasing power, modifying the social and economic dynamics of the municipality. The conclusions highlight that these processes have altered the cultural identity of Villa de Leyva, affecting community relations and generating tensions between tourism development and heritage conservation. The need for sustainable urban management strategies that balance tourism with the preservation of the social and cultural fabric of the municipality is highlighted.