Features / climate justice
The Bristol youth tackling gentrification and climate injustice
“A lot of people think that gentrification and climate injustice are separate, which isn’t true.
“Gentrification impacts a community not just by raising house prices; it stems from systemic neglect of an area — such as widespread littering — that causes property values to fall, making it unliveable and allowing third-party developers to intervene in harmful ways,” says Mallika Khan, Leadership & Mentoring programme lead at the Bristol-based youth CIC Babbasa.
It’s a programme that enables young people aged 16–25 to tackle a social issue in Bristol that they’re passionate about, through a months-long project.
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In the process, they develop soft skills, leadership and teamwork, while becoming young leaders and finding their voice.
Mallika Khan says gentrification first stems from an area being neglected, allowing profit-driven entities to swoop in and take over, dismissing the wants and needs of the existing community
This year’s cohort is focusing on gentrification and climate injustice in Bristol by creating a documentary spotlighting the lived experiences and rich cultural heritage of two of the city’s most vibrant yet historically neglected communities: St Paul’s and Easton.
The documentary, along with an art exhibition and live performance, will be showcased at the ComeInUnity event at the Trinity Centre on Thursday July 31, from 1–4pm.
Bristol 24/7 caught up with some of the young people behind ComeInUnity. Hanifa Aden, a 16-year-old sixth form student, coined the name — a clever wordplay on ‘community’.
“When I first started in the programme, I didn’t know what gentrification was, but growing up in Bristol, coming from an immigrant background, I’ve seen how much the city has changed. So much culture has been lost due to the rise of high-rise buildings and new businesses,” said Hanifa.
“I did a presentation in my sixth form on how areas like Lawrence Hill and Stokes Croft have changed. So many people in Lawrence Hill have lost their homes because of the roundabout.”
Reflecting on what she’s learnt from the programme, she added: “Climate change isn’t just about global warming — it’s also about taking care of people from marginalised backgrounds, because they’re disproportionately affected by it.”
June Ruth, a 21-year-old nursing student at UWE Bristol from Kenya, said the inspiration for choosing gentrification and climate justice came from the council’s failure to prioritise street cleanliness in specific parts of the city.
“Why would the council delay bin collections in areas like St Paul’s and Easton compared to more affluent parts of Bristol?” she asked.
“Hearing stories from my friends who are Bristolians, and seeing the changes happening in real time — like the overabundance of student housing — made me reflect. I’m a student too, but if I put myself in their shoes, I think there are better ways to develop the city.”
Nursing student June Ruth said she can see the neglect suffered by some communities in Bristol, and believes future generations deserve better
June also recalled speaking to others about Bristol’s changing landscape: “One of my patients told me he couldn’t recognise the Harbourside anymore because of all the new buildings. He used to love a pub there — but now it’s all gone.”
The transformation of Bristol reminded June of similar changes back home: “I remember all the highways being built in Kenya, and how people were displaced as a result. The government made empty promises about compensating residents, but it never happened.
“Seeing this in my own country made me empathise with the people in Bristol whose lives have been turned upside down by gentrification.”
A major part of ComeInUnity is a documentary that sheds light on the stories of three generations — past, present, and future — to create a fuller picture of how gentrification and climate injustice are both intersectional and intergenerational.
“Most people don’t consider the intergenerational aspect, which is a mistake,” said June. “If we don’t include everyone in the process, nothing will last. Talking to different generations opens our eyes — and it’s the right way forward.”
Another young person involved in the project, Aaliyah Williams, highlights the importance of climate justice and awareness of gentrification as part of her personal mental health journey.
“I’ve lived in Easton all my life, and when I went to secondary school in Cotham, I’d walk through St Paul’s as it was changing. I never really noticed at the time. But after my cousin had twins, it gave me a new perspective — I want them to grow up in a good neighbourhood with green spaces where they can play.”
The overflowing bins and lack of street cleaning in St Paul’s and Easton were inspiration for the project, which is hosting an event ‘where culture meets climate’ that celebrates the creativity and resilience of people from these communities
Focusing on future generations, Aaliyah adds that she worries about her own future children, and others in the community.
Her perspective is further informed by her professional experience working at Bristol City Council:
“I speak to a lot of service users with mental health issues, elderly people and disabled residents. I’ve seen their journeys, so if I can make a small change in my community, it could pave the way for the next generation,” she says.
“This issue is close to my heart because of my own mental health journey. I found that being in nature — just sitting on a park bench without my phone — really helped me. I was spending too much time in my bedroom, and the sunlight and fresh air helped me heal.”
When asked what makes Bristol special, Mallika shared: “I love how much we embrace arts and culture in this city — and how every community is doing its part to make things better.”
ComeInUnity is a powerful example of that spirit — where creativity and social action come together to raise awareness of the links between gentrification and climate injustice.
From documentary screenings to live art and performance, this free event celebrates the cultural richness of communities like St Paul’s and Easton, and the voices working to protect them.
The ComeInUnity event takes place at the Trinity Centre on July 31, 1 – 4pm. Find all details and tickets at eventbrite.co.uk/e/comeinunity-arts-event-where-culture-meets-climate
All photos: Medha Ghosh
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