“Guess I’m Next to be Erased”: street art, heritage and gentrification in George Town, Malaysia

Street art in George Town, Malaysia, has significantly contributed to gentrification and urban renewal since 2012. This study reveals that while street art revitalizes previously secluded spaces like back lanes and alleys, it also attracts middle-class tourists, sidelining traditional space uses. Using Chang's (2016) concept of 'gentrification aesthetics,' the research examines how street art serves government efforts to boost tourism revenues in this UNESCO World Heritage City. The findings underscore the need for careful cultivation and regulation of street art to align its diverse meanings with desired urban outcomes, particularly in multicultural historic centers like George Town.

Connolly, C. (2025). “Guess I’m Next to be Erased”: street art, heritage and gentrification in George Town, Malaysia. Urban Geography, 46(10), 2302–2319. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2025.2524635