Presentation: This talk will examine the complex interplay between gentrification and touristification in Oaxaca, highlighting their profound impact on urban spaces, social dynamics, and economic inequalities. Drawing from the historical and contemporary transformation of Oaxaca’s city center, the talk underscores how capitalist urban development displaces economically vulnerable populations, exacerbates gendered inequalities, and reconfigures public spaces into commercialized zones. While gentrification in Oaxaca

diverges from its classical definition, it reflects broader global processes of spatial commodification, driven by real estate markets and unregulated tourism.

Presenter: Oliver Fröehling is originally from Germany and has worked in Oaxaca since 1996. He has a Master's degree and doctoral studies from the US in geography with an emphasis on political ecology, social movements and digital media. He is affiliated with several US universities, currently serves as director of SURCO (Servicios Universitarios y Redes de Conocimientos en Oaxaca, AC) and hosts the radio program PEZ en el SURCO. A nonprofit organization, SURCO seeks to connect diverse community, collective and academic processes to build networks of action and knowledge, particularly related to education, communication and climate change.