(This article was written for my Internship at the Yoair Blog)
Throughout American history, gentrification has been viewed both positively and negatively. For some, gentrification has allowed for the rebuilding and revitalization of their community, increasing the opportunity for a better livelihood. Others have seen gentrification completely mask and change the identity of their residence and the surrounding area. Cornelius Swart’s 2017/18 film titled “Priced Out: 15 Years Of Gentrification” highlights revitalization, gentrification and the housing crisis in the city of portland.
The goal for gentrification in theory intends to bring about positive change in a harmless manner. However, practices of carrying this process out, especially in the United States very rarely are harmless. People of color in the United states are particularly the impacted individuals from gentrification. Those affected by gentrification are frequently the victims of displacement. The practice of gentrification and occurrence of displacement does not only occur in America. Gentrification is now considered to be a worldwide phenomenon, or a “global urban strategy”. This article intends to trace the origins of gentrification and the history and impact.
Origin of Gentrification
Before we can understand the impact of gentrification, we need to understand its background and origin. Our years of origin for gentrification can date back as far as the late 18th century. However, we will start with the 1950’s and continue forward. Gentrification began because of an increase in higher class individuals moving into low-income neighborhoods in London. Ruth Glass, a British sociologist, is credited for defining and coining the term “gentrification”. Glass’s view and understanding of the interruption and displacement of the working class in London provided a definition for gentrification.“One by one, many of the working class quarters of London have been invaded by the middle classes – upper and lower. Once this process of ‘gentrification’ starts in a district it goes on rapidly until all or most of the original working class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed”(1964).
Beliefs surrounding gentrification's origin in America can be difficult to pinpoint. Some theorize foreign investment and outsourcing leads to gentrification. Others point to immigration and the influx of Asian and Hispanic immigrants into American central cities as playing a factor. Many point to the inequality of people and social classes within America as being a huge factor. When gentrification began to take over American cities, the social climate in America was changing. The civil rights movement had been occurring for a few years by the 1960’s and people were fighting for real change within America. At the same time this incredibly influential and impactful movement was ongoing, changes were occurring to entire neighborhoods, cities and areas across the States. During the mid 1900’s, urban renewal projects and a back-to-the-city movement influenced gentrification in America. These projects, which have taken place for many years, negatively impact marginalized communities.
Gentrification in America
Urban renewal projects within America attempt to revitalize cities and areas considered to be struggling. This includes financial, structural, and cultural struggles. Some of these areas are at times described as “slums”. Slum or slums refers to a “residential area with substandard housing that is poorly serviced and/or overcrowded, therefore unhealthy, unsafe, and socially undesirable”(2009). While urban renewal projects are designed to breathe new life, they have resulted in neglect and displacement. Individuals of areas where gentrification occurs very rarely are able to continue living there. This is by design, in an attempt to bring in a newer and richer demographic. “Any federal program to attract middle-income people to live in revitalized former slums and blighted areas would have to contend with the presumptions of racial separation”(2021). In addition, many individuals, as stated earlier, oftentimes become displaced as a result of gentrified areas.
Gentrification intends to change an area’s culture through several processes. But how? Firstly, a change in demographics occurs within American cities. This is where more median and wealthy income individuals begin to move into urban, rural areas. Oftentimes, lower-income families and individuals are pushed out of these areas due to an increase in rent and property values. In addition, the influx of wealthier individuals into these areas coincides with a decrease in people of color. Secondly, with wealthier individuals now living in the area, change in real estate markets occurs. As stated earlier, property values begin to increase as the average median salary individuals are marking within an area increases. This places pressure on lower-income individuals and families. Due to this affect and strain, evictions and displacement begin to occur. Lastly, because of the change in income, demographic, and property values, shifts in character and culture of gentrified areas occur.
Displacement and Gentrification
I’ve referred to displacement quite a few times but have yet to define it. So what is displacement? Displacement is the occurrence of displaced individuals and businesses who have been forced out of their place of residence/business.There are several types of displacement that occur within gentrified areas. “Displacement takes many different forms—direct and indirect, physical or economic, and exclusionary—and may result from either investment or disinvestment”.
Direct and indirect displacement occur for a variety of reasons. Examples of gentrification induced displacement (direct displacement) include evictions, neglect of property/land maintenance, steep rental increases, and lease terminations. These examples are defined as involuntary moves which may threaten the livelihood of residents and force potential departure/displacement. Indirect displacement is the effects felt by residents who stay put in a gentrified area. This includes the increasing cost of housing, goods and services as well as changes to an area’s culture. Changes to an area’s culture, such as demands and needs, is referred to as cultural displacement. So how does gentrification and displacement affect residents and businesses?
Impact of Gentrification on residents
Gentrification’s impact goes beyond evictions and changes to an area’s physical appearance. The impact is felt physically and mentally by the individuals caught in the wave of gentrification.
“Changes often accompanying gentrification (i.e., limited affordable healthy housing, food insecurity from the need to pay high rent on limited income, increased stress, and changes in social networks) may negatively affect certain residents” (2020). As gentrification and displacement occurs, residents who leave may be subject to an increase of physical and psychological stress. A direct result of gentrification is that individuals may lose access to specific services, facilities, businesses and resources. This includes pharmacies and drug stores, hospitals and nurseries, schools, and grocery and clothing stores to name a few. These necessary services and resources may be destroyed or removed from a close proximity to residents of a gentrified area.
Potential loss of these outlets for survival and care creates stress and exposes individuals to potential harmful implications. For example, residents who get a specific drug at their local pharmacy because it is cheaper may lose this opportunity. Children who attend school in a gentrified area may be forced to move away further. This can force them to change schools entirely or drastically impact the way they get to and from school. Negative impact to the quality of education and schooling children receive may occur due to gentrification.
Impact of Gentrification on Small Businesses
Rent and the price of land and properties within a gentrified area increase as shifts in demographics occur. Because gentrification intends to drastically change an area’s physical and economical appearance, businesses are impacted as well. Small businesses are subject to the same impact as residents. Increased land/rent prices adds an extra amount of stress to small businesses as some struggle to stay afloat. Small businesses may see an increase in operational costs. This can lead to an increase in the price of goods or removal of products in order to survive, potentially driving away customers. As a result of gentrification, small businesses either adapt to a changing environment or resist. “Assuming they are beneficial, small business owners only support aesthetic changes to the neighborhood if they are already financially stable.”
A change in demographics produces a change in the demand of goods and services required by new residents. This change influences both positive and negative change to the area and small businesses. “[Gentrification] can bring new services and access to a wider choice of basic goods, more vital and safer streets, and local employment opportunities”(2016). “Gentrification can also disrupt commercially driven neighborhood identities and introduce services and products that do not serve incumbent residents”(2016). Changing demographics along with a potential resistance to gentrification may force small businesses within gentrified areas to move or close.
Gentrification reinforcement
The objective of gentrification, while intending to mean well for individuals and communities, often results in racialized neglect and racialized reinvestment. According to the social science research council, attempts of revitalization through gentrification results in the displacement and destabilization of communities and people of color. “Rather than address the enduring and oft-expressed needs of existing Black, poor, and other marginalized communities, such efforts at “revitalization” have tended to prime their neighborhoods for whiter and more affluent residents and consumers”(Boston, 2020). From 2000 to 2013, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition conducted a study centered around gentrification and displacement. Study findings from 2000-2013 show that “displacement of black and Hispanic residents accompanied gentrification in many places”(2019). Through the 13 year study, 150,000 people were accounted to have been impacted by gentrification and displacement. “In Washington, D.C, 20,000 black residents were displaced” (2019).
Racist and prejudiced programs and tactics play a role in the occurrence of gentrification in urban areas. Redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and discriminatory zoning laws are examples. Redlining is “the systematic denial of various services to residents of specific, often racially associated, neighborhoods or communities”. Financial services, such as banks as well as the federal government set standards that neglect and abuse people of color. The denial of financial services/resources oftentimes includes mortgages and insurance loans. As a result, supposedly helpful changes instead perpetuate economic disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The effectiveness of gentrification is greater in areas where neglect and systemic racism is rampant.
Research of gentrification
Understanding the relationship and pinpointing the effects of gentrification on displacement is difficult. Research on this matter requires understanding and analysis of complex and widespread multifaceted issues. However, several aspects currently work against the effectiveness of potential research. Firstly, there are multiple forms of displacement that can occur as a result of gentrification. This could limit quality measurements into the overall impact gentrification has on displacement. Secondly, as referenced previously, limitations in data can impact research. Impact of gentrification varies throughout the country. While certain areas might witness and experience positive change, others deal with the negative effects of gentrification. Gentrification can have indirect and long-term effects on displacement. These effects may not be immediately apparent when studies and research of gentrified areas occurs. As a result, collected data may not accurately account for instances of gentrification-induced displacement and other effects.
Gentrification and displacement share a connection, but the extent to that connection is disputed. Researchers, scholars, and journalists believe gentrification is not the only factor that plays a role in the displacement of people. (Other instances of displacement include conflict-induced or disaster-induced displacement). “Difficulties in distinguishing gentrification from other forms of urban development may offer a partial explanation for why the U.S. Congress was still struggling with how to respond to the gentrification dilemma in the mid-1980s”(Gale, p. 191, 2021).
Conclusion
Usage of gentrification in America is designed to improve struggling urban areas. These changes impact areas and individuals in a positive and negative manner. While not addressed and discussed directly in this article, gentrification has a positive impact on the areas it occurs in. Gentrification intends to positively impact struggling cities and areas within the U.S by revitalizing and improving infrastructure, appearances, services and local economies. Gentrification’s impact provides a boost and increase to economic activity, reduces crime, and modernizes/improves buildings, roads and highways.
On the contrary, attempts to revitalize neighborhoods and areas through gentrification leads to the abuse, neglect, and displacement of certain individuals and residents, particularly people of color.The intention of gentrification is to bring a different, wealthier demographic into struggling urban areas. And while this shift in demographics begins to revitalize gentrified areas, it comes at the expense of poorer, unprotected residents and individuals. As the cost of living increases, those unable to keep up with raised prices are left with fewer and fewer options. These individuals resort to leaving gentrified areas entirely or struggle immensely to survive. In addition, change in demands and needs of newer demographics forces a culture change.This potentially strips an area of its former identity and removes a great deal of diversity.
In summary, the idea of gentrification is one that can provide potentially positive change. However it comes at the expense of individuals who are usually poorer and a part of non-white ethnic groups. In order for gentrification to have become so successful, the usage of racist and prejudiced programs and tactics is a common occurrence. Residents and small businesses become victims as changes occur to economical and cultural landscapes of gentrified areas.
Works Cited in text
Shlay, A. B., & Balzarini, J. (2015). Gentrification. Gentrification - an overview. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/gentrification
The University of Texas at Austin. (2019). Background: Gentrification and Displacement. The Uprooted Project. https://sites.utexas.edu/gentrificationproject/gentrification-and-displacement-in-austin
Glass, R. (Lazarus), & Glass, R. (1964). Aspects of Change. In London: Aspects of change (p. XVIII–XVIII). introduction, MacGibbon & Kee.
Harris, R. (2009). Slums. Slums - an overview. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/slums
Gale, Dennis E.. The Misunderstood History of Gentrification : People, Planning, Preservation, and Urban Renewal, 1915-2020, Temple University Press, 2021. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csulb/detail.action?docID=28372207.
UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design . (n.d.). Urban displacement. UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design. https://ced.berkeley.edu/work/urban-displacement
Smith, G. S., Breakstone, H., Dean, L. T., & Thorpe, R. J., Jr (2020). Impacts of Gentrification on Health in the US: a Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of urban health : bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 97(6), 845–856. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00448-4
Meltzer, R. (2016). Gentrification and Small Business: Threat or Opportunity? Cityscape, 18(3), 57–86. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26328273
Boston, A. (2020, September 17). Gentrifying the city: From racialized neglect to racialized reinvestment. Gentrifying the City: From Racialized Neglect to Racialized Reinvestment. https://items.ssrc.org/layered-metropolis/gentrifying-the-city-from-racialized-neglect-to-racialized-reinvestment/
Richardson, J., Mitchell, B., & Franco, J. (2019, March 19). Shifting neighborhoods: Gentrification and cultural displacement in American cities. NCRC. https://ncrc.org/gentrification/
Lopez, J., & Phan, J.. Redlining and Gentrification in San Diego. ArcGIS dashboards. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/01eabe4266294b48b6e0d69ceb6ce85f
Gale, D. E. (2021). Embryonic Gentrification and Advanced Gentrification, 1980– 2018. In The misunderstood history of gentrification: People, planning, preservation, and Urban Renewal, 1915-2020 (pp. 191–191). essay, Temple University Press.
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