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Effects of gentrification
Gentrification and its negative impacts
Effects of gentrification
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In the article “A Gentrification Story With A Happy Ending,” author Jon Michaud describes the undergoing rapid change of Washington Heights, a neighborhood in New York City. More specifically, Michaud discusses the process of gentrification occurring in a bar in New York called Coogan’s, as they try to remain in the area and overcome the changes that gentrification has caused. The author described the old neighborhood around Coogan’s as “a neighborhood that was once so hostile that the hospital considered relocating.” Michaud also claims how Coogan’s signature bar events, including the 5k race, was once believed to act as a means of “taking back neighborhood streets from gangs and drug dealers.” During the early 2000’s, the process of gentrification …show more content…
Often, old and abandoned neighborhoods are revamped with new housing and places of entertainment, which increase costs in the area that the wealthy can afford. This is shown in the article, as the old, dilapidated streets of Washington Heights were converted to new places of entertainment and real-estate development. Rent prices in the area increased, and the overall standard of living was greatly uplifted. The process of changing old abandoned townhomes, described as rugged and full of drug dealers into places of new construction such as a hospital and apartment buildings in the area is a perfect example of the effect of gentrification in an area. As the definition reads, gentrification creates improvement, shown numerously throughout the article. The gentrification process that took place created a postmodern structure, increased rent prices, and renovated a vast area. The overall process and idea of renovating Washington Heights, and turning an old, abandoned neighborhoods into place of renovations and entertainment exemplifies gentrification perfectly and serves as a prime example of the process of gentrification occurring in our world
Jackelyn Hwang and Robert J. Sampson’s article “Divergent Pathways of Gentrification: Racial Inequality and the Social Order of Renewal in Chicago Neighborhoods” addresses the evolution of gentrification over time. The direct examination of gentrification is difficult to observe; however, by examining social pathways we are able to further advance our studies.
Prior to this, I had never heard of any benefit of gentrification; rather, I had the typical preconceived notion that Freeman discusses: gentrification is a demonic force that inflicts suffering in all poor people in a gentrified neighborhood. However, reading excerpts from “There Goes the ‘Hood” encourages me to rethink my position. One of my questions from the reading pertains to the “race” part of the author’s argument. Although Clinton Hill and Harlem are both predominantly comprised of African Americans, I wonder how low-income white residents feel about gentrification. I am curious about this because a friend of mine, a white Irish, was displaced from her home in Sunnyside, Queens last summer because of increasing rent. From this experience, I think that seeing low-income whites’ outlooks on white gentry would be interesting. Furthermore, I question the validity of the author’s selection on some of the participants for his interview, particularly those whom he recruited in a conference on gentrification (page 12). One could imagine that community members who attend such a conference would hold strong opinions about gentrification. However, would not this contradict his earlier point that “the most active and vocal residents are not necessarily representative of the entire neighborhood and are likely different” (page 7) and thus undermining the integrity of some of his
Another noteworthy urban sociologist that’s invested significant research and time into gentrification is Saskia Sassen, among other topical analysis including globalization. “Gentrification was initially understood as the rehabilitation of decaying and low-income housing by middle-class outsiders in central cities. In the late 1970s a broader conceptualization of the process began to emerge, and by the early 1980s new scholarship had developed a far broader meaning of gentrification, linking it with processes of spatial, economic and social restructuring.” (Sassen 1991: 255). This account is an extract from an influential book that extended beyond the field of gentrification and summarizes its basis proficiently. In more recent and localized media, the release the documentary-film ‘In Jackson Heights’ portrayed the devastation that gentrification is causing as it plagues through Jackson Heights, Queens. One of the local businessmen interviewed is shop owner Don Tobon, stating "We live in a
... motivation for wealthy individuals to return to the inner-city core but it also provides impetus for commercial and retail mixed-use to follow, increasing local revenue for cities (Duany, 2001). Proponents of gentrification profess that this increase in municipal revenue from sales and property taxes allows for the funding of city improvements, in the form of job opportunities, improved schools and parks, retail markets and increased sense of security and safety ((Davidson (2009), Ellen & O’Reagan (2007), Formoso et. al (2010)). Due to the increase in housing and private rental prices and the general decrease of the affordable housing stock in gentrifying areas, financially-precarious communities such as the elderly, female-headed households, and blue-collar workers can no longer afford to live in newly developed spaces ((Schill & Nathan (1983), Atkinson, (2000)).
With the rapid development of the city and tremendous progress of technology in America, gentrification becomes a universal phenomenon in every city, especially in Englewood―the south side of Chicago. As capital begins to flow into the Englewood community, many aspects of daily life are changed for better. The tremendous change brings not only the renovated facilities but arrives with the new retail and service business. Plenty of citizens who live in the Englewood community were benefiting from the gentrification. They also said that gentrification is a commendable change in Englewood to renew and develop. Thus, gentrification is beneficial to local residents because it arrives with the new retail and service business, increases employment opportunities and transform a more beautiful community.
In conducting this assignment we visited the neighborhood of Washington Heights. During our visits we interviewed several of the residences; so that we could get a first hand prospective of what it is like living in the community, why they settled in the community and the many changes that they have witness durning their time in the neighborhood.
Urban development influences the city to meet the demands of the more affluent individuals. The economy boosts, and the entire culture of the city is transformed. Money talks, and since the wealthy class moves in the are able to afford luxuries that the city must provide and they have low tolerance on funds for the homeless population and low-income individuals. “Housing market dynamics appear to play a critical role in producing gentrification, though these dynamics vary from location to location... On a more conceptual level, gentrification may reflect that previously unrecognized value in a neighborhood—quality housing stock, accessibility and proximity to downtown and/or other attractive neighborhoods—is now being recognized.” Gentrification displaces the black and brown communities and renew that city into a place that includes much more affluent people. This is unjust for the poor people because they are not given the chance to go against the forced displacement and they just cannot afford to do
Older gentrification is issued onto poor black communities to increase white supremacy in the area and improve living conditions in the so called “hood.” After Older proposed his thoughts on Gentrification being an issue in colored low-income neighborhoods, he then turns to criticizing another writer with a different point of view on the issue. The author of “Is Gentrification All Bad?” in an article in the New York Times explains his views on gentrification. Older places emphasis on one of Davidson’s claim on “sweet spots” in the community saying “Davidson talks of a “sweet spot”: some mythical moment of racial, economic harmony where the neighborhood stays perfectly diverse and balanced.” (Older 358) The author does not support this claim as to being logical in his sense. Older’s views represents an opposite approach on the same issue of gentrification. In another quote “The gears are all already in place, the mechanisms of white supremacy and capitalism poised to make their moves.” (Older 358) the author speaks on how white people are over taking the poor colored communities to improve their lives, but not thinking about the consequences of the affected
There are many examples of cities reforming itself over time, one significant example is Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. More than a hundred years after the discovery of gold that drew thousands of migrants to Vancouver, the city has changed a lot, and so does one of its oldest community: Downtown Eastside. Began as a small town for workers that migrants frequently, after these workers moved away with all the money they have made, Downtown Eastside faced many hardships and changes. As a city, Vancouver gave much support to improve the area’s living quality and economics, known as a process called gentrification. But is this process really benefiting everyone living in Downtown Eastside? The answer is no. Gentrification towards DTES(Downtown Eastside) did not benefit the all the inhabitants of the area. Reasons are the new rent price of the area is much higher than before the gentrification, new businesses are not community-minded, and the old culture and lifestyle of the DTES is getting erased by the new residents.
In discussions of Gentrification, one controversial issue has been with displacement. Gentrification is the process of renovating and repairing a house or district so that it complies to wealthier residents (Biro, 2007, p. 42). Displacement is a result of gentrification, and is a major issue for lower income families. Gentrification is causing lower-income residents to move out of their apartments because they’re being displaced by upper class residents who can afford high rent prices and more successful businesses. Throughout out the essay, I will discuss how gentrification affects lower income residents and how it results in displacement. Then I will follow on by discussing some positive and negative effects that take place because of Gentrification.
Gentrification is a highly important topic that has not only been occurring all over the United States, but especially closer than we may have thought. San Francisco is home to hundreds of thousands of people who have been a part of how amazing this city has become. San Francisco is one of the most visited places in the world with many of its famous landmarks, endless opportunities not only for daytime fun but also has an amazing nightlife that people cannot get enough of. People come for a great time and could not be done without the help of the people who have grown up to experience and love this city for what it truly is. The cost of living in such an important city has definitely had its affect of lower income San Francisco residents. For decades we have seen changes occurring in parts of San Francisco where minorities live. We have seen this in Chinatown, SOMA, Fillmore district, and especially the Mission district.
According to Carnegie's Community Action project in Woodward’s Arena in 1995, there were alot of of low-income businesses, restaurants, abandoned, closed and vacant places. Due to the low-income a lot of businesses wasn’t making enough money so the restaurants were being shut down. (Doc.A) However, being in a low-income neighborhood the less fortunate had places to live and was somewhat happy. In 2012, there were still some low-income housing but majority of them were closed down. Due to majority of the low-income housing being closed the area was satisfying for the people that was more wealthy and financially stable.
New constructions and social process meant to upgrade a community fit the gentrifiers way of life, which they enforce on
Though gentrification can be positively perceived as an act to revitalize otherwise distressed neighbourhoods, it is not intended to benefit existing citizens. Due to an increase in employment, higher revenue generated, perceived lower crime rates, and intensification of density, gentrification is seen as beneficial to cities, however it can also displace original residents, lower-income jobs, and perpetuate a fragmentation of community and affordable housing. Gentrification can be avoided through rent control, as well as property tax rebates, limiting condo conversions, as well as inclusionary
Gentrification is a common issue in urbanized nations around the world. The presences of gentrification began to become common in the United States around the mid 1970s. There are many factors that affect the process of gentrification, and there are numerous social and economic consequences because of it. Gentrification can be seen as a double-edged sword, as it sets off a reaction of both positive and negative effects. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, gentrification is the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. Gentrification is a common and controversial topic in urban planning. Gentrification is typically the