Gentrification is a complex phenomenon that brings opportunities and challenges to urban communities. While it can revitalise urban spaces and stimulate economic growth, it often leads to the displacement of long-standing residents and the erosion of local cultural identities. The Grit & Glow Street Photo Exhibition: Bang Lamphu x Peckham is part of the artistic and cultural project “Streetwise: Grit & Glow in Peckham and Bangkok,” which seeks to observe the changes—and the constants—within the contexts of two distinct urban neighbourhoods: Bang Lamphu in Bangkok and Peckham in London. Both areas have undergone significant transformations in recent years. Peckham, a diverse and historically working-class neighbourhood in South London, has experienced significant gentrification over the past two decades. Once known for its vibrant immigrant communities and local markets, the area has seen an influx of trendy cafes, art spaces, and upscale housing developments. While these changes have revitalised Peckham’s economy and urban landscape, they have also raised concerns about rising living costs and the displacement of long-standing residents. The transformation highlights the complex dynamics of gentrification, balancing economic progress with preserving the cultural identity and inclusivity that define the neighborhood's character. The central question posed by this exhibition is: What should the balance be between progress and tradition? If progress moves too quickly, it risks leaving the original residents behind, invisible in its wake. Conversely, if progress lags behind the ever-changing world, tradition may become frozen in a nostalgic memory that no longer reflects reality. This project is supported by the Connections Through Culture Grants 2024-2025, British Council. Photographs of Peckham were taken by Ragini Khurana, a PhD student at the University of Warwick, whose dissertation focuses on gentrification and the evolving identity of urban neighbourhoods. Photographs of Bang Lamphu were taken by Pornchita Boupradit, a local youth from the group named Sanae Banglamphu Social Enterprise, who has been working on revitalising their neighbourhood for years.