Gentrification: Pro's Con's

One other glaring example of the injustice committed by gentrification is the attack on localized social life, which in itself is a manifestation of the many wrongs perpetuated by this so called “painless” process, because before gentrification many of these areas were able to create and foster this sense of communal solidarity, which afforded and allowed them to build generational relationships, which placed an emphasis on creating a real sense of community pride. Therefore, many of the local residents took to the heart in looking out for what was best for their neighbors, thus there was not this sense of entitlement exhibited in residents, but a real sense of pride in knowing that they themselves were able to create something uniquely their own

Webster’s Dictionary defines gentrification as “the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.” This sounds frightening to lower class citizens. However, Justin Davidson, author of “Is Gentrification All That Bad?” claims “Gentrification doesn’t need to be something that one group inflicts on another; often it’s a result of aspirations everybody shares.” Gentrification does not need to be the rich pushing the poor out. It can be the rich and the poor working together to make their city a wealthier and safer place to live. Gentrification improves communities by allowing more economic growth for all.

A study by The Urban Institute describes gentrification as “a process whereby higher-income households move into low income neighborhoods, escalating the area’s property values to the point that displacement occurs.” Gentrification generally takes place in deteriorating urban or rural areas. The purpose of gentrification is to take struggling neighborhoods and stabilize them by increasing property value. Naturally the system isn’t perfect, as it has the side effect of displacement, which can cause some people to have to move to a different location, but overall gentrification is much more beneficial than destructive on a large scale. All neighborhoods have to be improved eventually. Gentrification is simply the most effective way of doing it. Although there are some negatives associated with Gentrification, in the long run it succeeds in creating a better place for people to live, and the pros far outweigh the cons.

Gentrification was something I was experiencing it first hand without noticing for years and when I did realizing it I believe that gentrification is considered a positive change from a concrete perspective and it may be very difficult and unacceptable for many local people to sacrifice the culture they have valued and built over many generations. In other words, gentrification is a “just” process and although there are sacrifices that comes along with the process to improve the city or a district, it will eventually happen over the course of time for economical and social benefits in a big picture. For example, the city of belmont has been recorded as one of the gentrified areas in the San Francisco Bay Area by Urban Displacement Map and

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a neighborhood so that it can be more appealing to the middle-class taste and is negatively affecting many neighborhoods all over New York City. The gentrification of low-income neighborhoods can bring down a neighborhood and is responsible for the displacement of families who can’t afford to live in the gentrified area anymore due to the price of rent being dramatically increased. Landlords tend to raise rent to cast out low income renters and make room for higher-income renters who are looking to move into the neighborhood. Some of the lower class residents who are basically forced out of their homes tend to move in with relatives, search for a place to go in one of the city’s remaining cheap areas, and can even go homeless if they have no family, friends, or anywhere to go.

According to Stacey Sutton, PhD, member of the Department of Urban Planning and Policy, in her New York Tedx talk, gentrification is fundamentally a social justice problem.” This means that gentrification has many effects to its neighborhood and its residents. One main problem that gentrification had brought was displacement. Due to changes in the urban neighborhood, prices of living had increased, where many of the renters have no choice than to leave the neighborhood because it's unaffordable. As Tom Slater, an urban geographer, said, “gentrification is the spatial expression of economic inequality.” When higher class people moved to an urban area and invest and take advantage to a low property, it raised the property value and displaced the people who cannot afford it, hence, the low income people.

The gentrification process is a trend in urban neighborhoods, which results in increased property values and the displacing of lower-income families and small businesses(Sims1994-1999). Many cities around the world have begun to adapt in order to bring in new revenue. This process is being done blindly, because the apparent change is not quite noticeable but the damage is being done. The fact that there is damage being done speaks volumes at the fact that this process is being done in a way that harms many children and schools. The toll that this process is taking on public education and minority families is rather clear. Families are being displaced from their homes and relocated to god knows where.

Gentrification is not always seen as bad, there are many arguments that push for change and the bettering of spaces but always at the cost of the people of color and lower class citizens. The structure of society pushes them to the bottom, never in the media is there a clear wrong doing from gentrification, at worst it is a necessary evil to better communities and cities. “These alternative geographies are predicated on difference and the spatialization of non-dominant groups; alternative geographies are points of struggle which highlight the tension between dominant geographies and difference. Thus, imaginary geographies which do not neatly align themselves with conventional geographies, knowledges which reconfigure established geographical meanings, and resistant political locations, all suggest that difference is indicative of alternative geographies and geographic struggles.” (McKittrick & Peake, 13) Difference defines space and racism, by pointing out the difference groups can gain control of the system and have power over other groups. Gentrification is the middle class using their privilege to “better” a neighborhood and displace anyone of lower class that can not afford

Is Gentrification All Bad? Is an unsuccessful article by Justin Davidson, because the article does not meet the general criteria for good organization, complete coverage of the topic, and backed by credible evidence. In Is Gentrification All Bad? the author tries to convince reader that there is a positive side to gentrification. Davidson’s opinion in the article is that gentrification can occasionally be violent especially to the lower income economic class; however the mainly considers gentrification as movement of local pride where the community as a whole is upgrading the standards of living in the population. I have considered this article unsuccessful because it does not meet the basic objective critique I have judged it by.

Gentrification has brought conflict in numerous major cities in America, including New York City, usually involving issues of race and finance. The alteration of communities has been viewed as the malfunction of society, where rich predominantly white folk are praised for making a district “better”. It is in these same neighborhoods where minority occupants are forced to leave their homes due to inflamed rents. People should not be forced to move out of their homes with the intent of “improving” the neighborhood. (Flag Wars) Gentrification also gives rise to a moral standpoint for poor communities: is it really humane to knock down a building occupied by the working and lower income families with the intent to build a business that you are so certain will be a success?

Gentrification is a very popular topic on whether the fact that it’s a good thing and or a bust for neighborhoods. It’s not only a moral in society, it’s happening around everyone. As Urban communities are being affected, homes being destroyed and bought out by the government, residents are faced with the struggle to stay in a home and not be relocated. A man named Justin Davidson, a music critic and a background for architecture, knows a bit about this topic. With his knowledge about architecture, he gives a speech, “Is Gentrification All Bad” and he understands how gentrification is good but withal deplorable. Davidson gives statistics backing up his justifiable answer. He gives plenty of reasons from other sources about the pros and cons, but his own personal belief is that gentrification can be good. With that, Davidson intends to speak to the people of neighborhoods who think that they need this type of improvement. Personally, I don’t think I’m a part of the attended audience because my neighborhood is well developed and displayable.

Viewing the complex matter of gentrification succinctly, it helps to uncover how multifaceted it is; in that gentrification involves the oppression, marginalization, displacement of vulnerable populations, particularly, the poor, and the black who are often already negatively impacted by the effects of classism, and racism. Gentrification threatens to erode the communities and livelihood maintained by these set of people because their displacement becomes a precondition for the total transformation of the area.

Gentrification, upgrading of deteriorated urban communities by affluent people, is a hot topic, with a variety of different opinionated people. Some believe it is quite effective and helpful to society while others discard it as a disease that effects parts of society. There are many perspectives one can use to find positives and negatives in gentrification. Gentrification has an impact on the economy as well as the socio-cultural. Socio-culturally, it forces the lower class to move out due to the increased prices because of the higher purchasing power of the new settlers. In the article Rhetoric and Realities of Gentrification: Reply to Powell and Spencer by Peter Byrne, Byrne expresses “gentrification consists of rich people using their class and race-based power to expel poor people of color from authentic and supportive communities with the help of corrupt or befuddled city governments.” (491) However, viewing gentrification through an economical perspective helps its case. Gentrification improves the place by bringing in companies to create store in the gentrified community. Companies follow the people with buying power, therefore, as the people move so do the company stores. Gentrification is a double edged sword with more drawbacks than benefits and therefore should be ended.

Gentrification brings out positive outcomes for a neighborhood it is the case for the article called “Say ‘yes’ to gentrification” by Art Tavana where the author some of the positive outcomes that gentrification brought to Los Angeles how it helps eradicate gang violence, strengthens the economy and that gentrification brings diversity into a neighborhood. The author states “the psychological toll of watching a gritty neighborhood fixed by hipsters is far less damaging than being stabbed near Dodger stadium. For 11 years, crime rates in L.A have generally dropped, many argue as a result of gentrification and improved policing” (Tavana 2). I believed that the author has a point changing a neighborhood is far safer than been a neighborhood that hasn’t been gentrified and there is a high rate of crime that you fear for your own safety. Gentrification also improves LA economy dog parks, bike lanes and redevelopments lead to more investment, which in turn increase property values. Overall the author states that the renovations that are to come to L.A are going to bring billions of investments that can lead to over 18,000 jobs. Tavana states “Starbucks, Whole Foods and open-air malls invest where hip consumers are willing to swipe their credit card for ornate goods.” (Tavana 3). Changes in this neighborhood might actually bring

Gentrification has been a controversial issue both in urban planning and politics primarily due to the displacement of poor people by the rich folks (Shaw & Hagemans, 2015). Many individuals have viewed gentrification as an illegal act that should be avoided at all costs. On the other hand, another group of people believe that gentrification is the way forward to promoting growth and development. With such contrasting ideas, this paper is going to take a look at gentrification from a positive and negative perspective, its effects, and how it can be prevented or contained. Apart from this, the paper will also address the following questions.