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Positive and negative consequences of gentrification
Positive and negative impacts of urban gentrification
Positive and negative impacts of urban gentrification
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Gentrification can be defined as the cultural, economic, social, and physical occurrence in which middle to upper class citizens essentially moves into a declining neighborhood/area, at the cost of replacing and/or displacing the original residents. It has been a controversial topic for quite some time now, and the debate for it only continues to grow. On one side, there are those who say the process is a beneficial one, describing it as something that makes cities safer, nicer to live in, and economic value. This is understandable, since an area that goes through gentrification is “renewed” in a sense. However, this is a very superficial way of thinking. While gentrification may have its benefits, I believe this system of renovation is largely …show more content…
The whole idea of urban renovation is a business in itself. Much like how a realtor flips houses, this process is the flipping of entire areas: “It . . . encourages middle class people to buy housing units in declining neighborhoods” (Komakech and Jackson 415). Eventually this would attract more affluent people, increasing the value and attraction of the area, which would only increase once the process is set in option. Economics is a large part of gentrification, and it is the biggest reason for its success. The main attraction that urban renewal has on the state and companies is its potential to become a money making machine. As areas are being renovated, they conform to the wants of more affluent and creative classes. However, this gets in the way of the lives of native residents who are in gentrifying neighborhoods. A prime example of this would be Morris Komakech’s and Suzanne Jackson’s work A Study of Small Ethnic Retail Grocery Stores in Urban Renewal in a Social Housing Project, Toronto, Canada. Essentially this study was a number of interviews of residents of Toronto, specifically Regent Park, as well as …show more content…
Consequently, a city or area begins to lose its identity and uniqueness. This is due to one main factor. In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida states that the “driving force is the rise of human creativity as the key factor in our economy and society. Both at work and in other spheres of our lives, we value creativity more highly and cultivate it more intensely than we ever have before” (5) Essentially, creativity has become essential to aspect of life, whether it is work, leisure time, etc. It is something of paramount importance in today's society and caused the creative class to form, also known as the “bourgeois bohemians" (Zukin 7). This creative class is what governments and companies are attempting to cater to—at the cost of the livelihood of those who are not part of the creative class. So how does this decrease in the uniqueness of an area? A perfect example would be to go back to Komakech’s Jackson’s study of ethnic stores in Toronto. While there is clearly an economic loss for the community and its businesses, they lose their sense of community as
Gentrification is defined as the process by which the wealthy or upper middle class uproot poorer individuals through the renovation and rebuilding of poor neighborhoods. Many long-term residents find themselves no longer able to afford to live in an area, where the rent and property values are increasing. Gentrification is a very controversial topic, revealing both the positive and negative aspects of the process. Some of the more desirable outcomes include reduced crime rate, increased economic activity, and the building of new infrastructures. However, it is debated whether the negatives overwhelm the positive. An increase in the number of evictions of low-income families, often racial minorities can lead to a decline of diversity
Lance Freeman tackles the issue of gentrification from the perspectives of residents in the gentrified neighborhood. He criticizes the literature for overlooking the experiences of the victims of gentrification. The author argues that people’s conceptions on the issue are somewhat misinformed in that most people consider it as completely deplorable, whereas in reality, it benefits the community by promoting businesses, different types of stores, and cleaner streets. These benefits are even acknowledged by many residents in the gentrified neighborhood. However, the author admits that gentrification indeed does harm. Although gentrification does not equate to displacement per se, it serves to benefit primarily homeowners and harm the poor. Additionally,
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
Vancouver is not affordable to live for the young professionals due to gentrification problems. The economy requires gentrification to develop the city. In order for a city to flow better, more people have to spend and sell. Furthermore, for people to spend or sell more, it requires more people to live. However, gentrification is pushing people away from their homes, and makes it difficult for the young professionals to move in. Therefore, a lot of young professionals and working class would move out and live outside the city.
... 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.
MY ANSWERS: It does inform you of the slant of this essay by reading the story of Daniel Jose's Older Essay, " Gentrification's Insidious Violence: The Truth about American Cities" The author's tone is sarcastic and sincere. Author is trying to convince people that many caucasian folks have been living in dangerous situations in the black communities even caucasian people who have low income, they even think this way too. Also, author is trying to convince people that "White privilege have more power than any colors". There is negative because the author mentioned that, "Is Gentrification all bad?" by Justin Davidson imagines a first wave of gentrifiers depth the way I've hard it described again and again. According to Daniel Jose older, too
The rezoning of 125th street has been a topic of controversy and has yet to be approved. The Department of City Planning believes rezoning of 125th street will bring positive economic changes. I personally believe that these changes would negatively affect the residents and business owners of Harlem. According to the New York City’s Planning Commission, the rezoning will bring new business and housing. Residents and business owners disagree because they believe this plays a bigger role in promoting further “gentrification.” I believe that Harlem should be able to keep its cultural heritage while still promoting and modifying economic growth.
This investigation is based on the assumption that gentrification with all its troubles can’t be prevented and is an inherent part of every city. What are the negative impacts of gentrification? What are the underlying mechanisms that feed these impacts? What drives these mechanisms? What would be an alternative scenario?
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
Gentrification is the keystone for the progression of the basic standards of living in urban environments. A prerequisite for the advancement of urban areas is an improvement of housing, dining, and general social services. One of the most revered and illustrious examples of gentrification in an urban setting is New York City. New York City’s gentrification projects are seen as a model for gentrification for not only America, but also the rest of the world. Gentrification in an urban setting is much more complex and has deeper ramifications than seen at face value. With changes in housing, modifications to the quality of life in the surrounding area must be considered as well. Constant lifestyle changes in a community can push out life-time
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.
It consistently affects the urban development of neighborhoods. Even though there are positives in gentrification such as social and economic development of communities but there are also negatives specifically lower income families are forced to move out of their homes because of high rent prices. This also causes people to become homeless because they can’t afford the newly inflated rent prices. In my opinion, I believe there should be some sort of system where apartments and houses are made based of what you can afford so families have places to live. Landlords shouldn’t raise their prices just so they can get people they desire to live in their homes. Even though it's understandable that landlords want to make more money but they shouldn’t force families out. There should only be a legitimate reason for families to be evicted out of their homes. Even though Gentrification has been around for a long time, hopefully there is some positive change in the
Redevelopment is described as the process of improving by renewing and restoring. When placed into the context of cities, redevelopment may be described as urban renewal. The redevelopment of cities is a crucial phenomenon that effects the fabric of communities socially, economically, politically and culturally. The need for an urban redevelopment usually arises when an area or district no longer functions nor cultivates its intended program. Unsuccessful existing and expired developments hinder its local community from progressing forward which causes a chain reaction of negativity (Tira M., Ivanička K., Špirková D., 2010). The declination of a district may occur because of various reasons. These reasons affect different districts in correspondence to the nature of the district. Issues such as segregation and alienation of site, lack of diversity, poor planning, decrease in value, poor maintenance, and security all contribute to the declination of a district (Christopher A.D.S., 2008). Therefore, the cause for redevelopment is not just to pacify these negative issues but rather it should be approached as a golden opportunity to look beyond that by creating added value.
Urban regeneration is the process that involves the relocation of business and people, for examples clearing and rebuilding new houses, building roads, leisure facilities meaning restructuring the area into a better place. After the second World War regeneration of urban cities was seen as a solution to upgrade the urban cities.