In our last post, we provided a definition for gentrification. What are its impacts?
“The hipster-hating mob ignores evidence that gentrification helps eradicate gang violence, strengthens the local economy, and encourages diversity in neighborhoods separated by racial lines. These positives far outweigh the only logical advantage to opposing progress: cheaper rents and Spanish colonial architecture that will crumble like Jenga pieces in the next big earthquake,” according to an opinion article by Art Tavana in LA Weekly (“Just Say Yes to Gentrification,” January 2015.)
However, Isaac Simpson, in the companion article, “Gentrification Is a Form of Oppression,” points out that gentrification can also lead to displacement, eviction, forced homelessness, police violence, and destroyed communities. He adds that though it may be done with good intentions, the result can be devastating to the residents who are pushed out of the path of development. Gentrification can also cause clashes between classes instead of bringing people together as a community.
While gentrification can benefit an area by decreasing crime, improving the economy, and increasing property values and taxes, it can have the negative consequences of pricing out former residents, changing the culture of the community, and causing resentment. Are the benefits and costs unevenly distributed? If so, are there tools available to mitigate this phenomenon? We will explore this question in our next post.
Written by Brett Poirier, a Research Assistant at RSG