Are We Heading for a London Without Children? - Worksheet

1. Before reading the text.
a. Read the headline and identify the topic. Based on what you already know about London, suggest reasons which could explain the title. 
b. Using your completed map of London make assumptions about which neighbourhood(s) might be mentioned.
c. Can you imagine what the word gentrification means? Discuss with a partner. 

2. Read the text.
a. Check the hypotheses made in Activity 1. b. and complete your map by highlighting the boroughs mentioned in the article. 
b. The following definition of gentrification echoes ideas or passages from the article. Can you match the highlighted expressions below with elements from the text. Each colour refers to an idea or a topic from the article.

Gentrification  is the process of urban development by which the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, thus transforming it from low value to high value, often displacing current inhabitants, such as low-income families, in the process, often making it impossible for them to find affordable housing in the city.

3. React. Discuss what you understood with a partner and express your reaction to the process of gentrification.