Introduction The aim of this literature review is to connect the concepts of urban gentrification and rapid economic development in Austin, Texas. It will introduce Austin as a recent victim of gentrification as a result of redevelopment pressures and rising housing costs, thus causing the uprooting of vulnerable residents to different geographic regions. This review will begin with a detailed explanation of the gentrification process and will then tailor it specifically to the Austin area, focusing on the rise of the technological industry, and concluding with an in-depth conclusion about how gentrification may lead to a loss of the cultural and historical character that Austin is known for. Definition Gentrification is defined as “the conversion …show more content…
Austin, Texas, known for its vibrant music scene, tech industry, and unique cultural identity, has not been immune to the effects of gentrification. This transformation has brought both opportunities and challenges, sparking debates about socioeconomic inequality, cultural preservation, and community displacement. Historical Development in Austin, Texas To understand gentrification in Austin, it's crucial to examine its historical context. The city's growth can be traced back to the mid-19th century, primarily driven by industries like agriculture and government. However, it was the tech boom in the 1990s that accelerated Austin's transformation into a major economic hub, attracting young professionals and entrepreneurs seeking job opportunities and a laid-back lifestyle. In fact, as of 2019, East Austin was named the fourth fastest-gentrifying city in the US (Largent 2020). Gentrification in Austin can be observed in distinct phases. Initially, neighborhoods like East Austin, historically home to minority communities, experienced disinvestment and neglect. …show more content…
This influx of high-paying jobs further accelerated gentrification, driving up property values and rents. Growth of high-tech sectors zoned on the eastside of Austin created more jobs for the skilled labor (Hedge 2021). As a result, long-time residents, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, found themselves unable to afford rising housing costs, leading to displacement and the erosion of community cohesion. The first campaign undertaken by PODER, an environmental justice group in East Austin, was surrounding concerns about high-technology factories agglomerating in the region in the 1990s (Tretter). They vocalized their concerns about the use of tax incentives to draw in businesses that had a minimal impact on the unemployed in the area. As a result of this agglomeration, lower-class residents were forced to be uprooted and dispersed from the area, making room instead for wealthier individuals, a clear case of gentrification. Implications One of the concepts that will be proven in my essays is the idea that despite the seemingly idealistic growth occurring in Austin, the accompanying gentrification may be doing more harm than is being effectively portrayed to the public. One of the most significant impacts of gentrification in Austin that I anticipate is the displacement
“Gentrification is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in the district's character and culture.” (Grant) In layman’s terms, gentrification is when white people move to a black neighborhood for the sake of cheaper living, and in turn, raise up property values and force black neighbors to leave because of a higher price of living. Commonly, the government supports gentrification with the demolition of public housing in areas that are developing with more white neighbors. This is causing a decreasing amount of African Americans to be able to afford to live in the neighborhood as their homes are taken away from them, forcing them to relocate. Whilst gentrification normally has negative connotations, there are several people who believe gentrification brings about “an upward trend in property values in previously neglected neighborhoods.” (Jerzyk) On the other hand, this new trend in property value and business causes those...
Jackson Heights is a neighborhood with a plethora of diversity and multiculturalism, hence there’s wide coverage of Gentrification in the media and literature. Jackson Heights is skyrocketing economically like many other local neighborhoods, with the looming possibility of becoming out of reach for the average American family. Redevelopments of infrastructure have rapidly progressed causing a rise in house price and rent, this ultimately resulting in the neighborhood to become financially unreachable for most. This is an example of the term that was first coined in 1964 by German-British sociologist Ruth Glass as ‘gentrification’. Ruth Glass wrote, "Once this process of 'gentrification' starts in a district, it goes on rapidly
In the article “Gentrification’s Insidious Violence: The Truth about American Cities” by Daniel Jose Older, Older places emphasis on the neighboring issue of gentrification in minority, low income communities or as better known as being called the “hood” communities. The author is biased on how race is a factor in gentrifying communities by local governments. Older explains his experience as a paramedic aiding a white patient in the “hood” where he was pistol whipped in a home invasion by a black male. This is an example of black on white crime which is found to be a normal occurrence in the residence of his community. But that is not the case in Older’s situation because that was the first time he has
“gentrification as an ugly product of greed. Yet these perspectives miss the point. Gentrification is a byproduct of mankind 's continuing interest in advancing the notion that one group is more superior to another and worthy of capitalistic consumption with little regard to social consciousness. It is elitism of the utmost and exclusionary politics to the core. This has been a constant theme of mankind to take or deplete a space for personal gain. In other words, it 's very similar to the "great advantage" of European powers over Native Americans and westward expansion”(Wharton).
On a normal scale, measuring the association between two subjects, one would assume gentrification and segregation are not related in any sense. In fact, most would argue that school segregation ended in 1954 with the case Brown v. Board of Education. This assumption would be incorrect. Deep within the American society lies a new kind of segregation that is neither talked about nor dealt with. This paper argues that segregation is a result of gentrification—the buying and renovation of houses in deteriorated neighborhoods by upper-income families or individuals—thus, improving property values but often displacing low-income families.
Gentrification is described as the renovation of certain neighborhoods in order to accommodate to young workers and the middle-class. For an area to be considered gentrified, a neighborhood must meet a certain median home value and hold a percentage of adults earning Bachelor’s degree. Philadelphia’s gentrification rate is among the top in the nation; different neighborhoods have pushed for gentrification and have seen immense changes as a result. However, deciding on whether or not gentrification is a beneficial process can become complicated. Various groups of people believe that cities should implementing policy on advancing gentrification, and others believe that this process shouldn’t executed. Both sides are impacted by the decision to progress gentrification; it is unclear of the true implications of completely renovating impoverished urban areas; gentrification surely doesn’t solve all of a community’s issues. I personally believe that gentrification is not necessarily a good or bad process; gentrification should occur as a natural progression of innovative economies and novel lifestyles collide within certain areas. Policy involving gentrification should not support the removal of people out of their neighborhood for the sake of advancement.
Of the many problems affecting urban communities, both locally and abroad, there is one issue in particular, that has been victimizing the impoverished within urban communities for nearly a century; that would be the problem of gentrification. Gentrification is a word used to describe the process by which urban communities are coerced into adopting improvements respective to housing, businesses, and general presentation. Usually hidden behind less abrasive, or less stigmatized terms such as; “urban renewal” or “community revitalization” what the process of gentrification attempts to do, is remove all undesirable elements from a particular community or neighborhood, in favor of commercial and residential enhancements designed to improve both the function and aesthetic appeal of that particular community. The purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware about the significance of process of gentrification and its underlying impact over the community and the community participation.
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,
Harvey, Todd, and et al. Gentrification and West Oakland: Causes, Effects, and Best Practices 1999. 22 Nov. 2003.
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
Gentrification Toward a Segregated United States of America Gentrification is defined as the process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste. In the United States this has become a very common occurrence as many urban areas and neighborhoods are constantly being remodeled and reconstructed so that they can continue to be seen as modern and attractive to potential home buyers. Due to this, gentrification is typically given a connotation of a process that displaces lower income families from a neighborhood and is therefore an issue of socioeconomic status. However, gentrification is an even deeper issue than is commonly seen because it also divides individuals based off of race. While gentrification is traditionally seen as an issue of wealth and social class, the additional divides it creates over race serve only to keep the United States a segregated country while also creating unnecessary tension and violence between surrounding neighborhoods and urban areas.
Gentrification Through a Sociological Lens Gentrification has reshaped a growing number of urban communities throughout the United States. In 1964, Ruth Glass coined the word “gentrification” to describe the transformations of many London neighborhoods. According to the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Gentrification defines as, “the rehabilitation and settlement of decaying urban areas by middle- and high-income people”. Cities are finding themselves having to adapt to a more middle-class taste, where the implications of doing so can be tricky. As outspoken director Spike Lee, whose movies tackled subjects like race relations and poverty, said himself, “Why does it take an influx of white New Yorkers...for the facilities to get better?”
I. Introduction Gentrification is when wealthier people move into poor neighborhoods, renovate buildings, and draw in new businesses, which usually displaces long-term residents and changes the area’s identity. Over the years in Los Angeles, California, gentrification has driven many Latinos out of their childhood homes and neighborhoods, leaving long-time friends and ties to the community due to gentrification. With small businesses being bought out and replaced with modern upscale businesses, a domino-like effect hurts neighborhood businesses and turns community development into a business venture. Gentrification has hit nearby Los Angeles towns like Highland Park, Echo Park, and Lincoln Heights. These new wealthy residents often bring higher
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (I Have a Dream, 1963) This phrase is excerpted from Dr. King's iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. This speech is delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement.