BSE Response 2 Environment and Sustainability

.docx

School

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2001

Subject

Geography

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by DrYak3997

Gentrification and Environmental Injustice in Minnesota Monica Patrice Barra’s article, “Good Sediment: Race and Restoration in Coastal Louisiana”, focuses on how often environmental restoration projects don’t take into consideration race, ethnography, or the region’s history. As a result, efforts to combat the effects of climate change through environmental restoration begin to uphold racial and environmental injustices. Barra centers the study on Louisiana's disappearing coastline, applying the knowledge that geosocial communities of color and scientists have on river sediment diversions to bring awareness to the historic connection between racism and coastal science in east Louisiana – encouraging solutions that integrate social justice with science. For example, The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, a controversial large-scale environmental restoration project, was Louisiana's Master Plan to preserve coastal areas from coastal flooding caused by unexpected increase in wetland loss. The preservation program planned to use the Mississippi River’s sediment-rich waters to restore sinking marshland in the west of Ironton. What the program didn’t take into consideration was the impact its efforts would have on the coastal communities and its history – most of its population being indigenous, brown, and Black people. Many of the people residing in the region can trace back their ancestors to enslaved plantation laborers, as it was occupied by sugar plantations. The Mississippi provided these communities with natural resources that encouraged economic prosperity. Also, these communities had previously been forcefully displaced by similar ‘good natured’ restoration projects. I agree with Barra’s main focal point, that the integration of race and environmental restoration is essential, and I would like to further explore this idea in the development of parks in urban regions. I will further examine how environmental planning and improvements risk

gentrification and displacement of minority communities. Lastly, I will discuss some suggestions to improve or create parks that will benefit the existing brown and Black communities in urban areas – avoiding housing and racial inequalities. Often, when cities develop plans to improve parks and recreational areas, with goals to increase green spaces in under-resourced areas, it's done with good intentions. Though, when the community's voice is not heard it risks an increase in housing costs and displacement of residents and leaves vacant spaces that are taken up by wealthier individuals – basically, gentrification. Green gentrification is a term that better describes this situation as it addresses the negative outcomes that come out of further investments into parks and green spaces. Similar efforts provide these communities with farmers markets and environmentally friendly buildings, to combat climate change related health issues and food deserts, also reflect the upscaling of neighborhoods (Walker, 2023). The development of green spaces is either intentionally or unintentionally catered to white communities and, as a result, play a role in racialized socio- political views of urban spaces. For example, the creation of New York’s central park took the land of the Black residents living in Seneca village. Parks are usually thought of as places for socializing and community building, but this park was majorly for the benefit of real estate tycoons (Dornfeld, 2019). Further displacement of residents occurred as property values continued to rise, the benefits of a park were not able to be experienced by the people who originally made up the neighborhood. Additionally, most recreational and natural parks are disproportionately placed in wealthier, white neighborhoods, giving them environmental privilege that will grant them better community health. In contrast, low-income neighborhoods with majority people of color face

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help