Gentrification and Its Impacts

What is Gentrification?

Gentrification is the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process. It is the transformation of a city neighborhood from low value to high value - a process of urban development in which a neighborhood or portion of a city develops rapidly in a short period, often as a result of urban renewal programs.

Positive Impacts:

• Upscaling the area increases the value of the property. People who already own property there greatly benefit from this.

• The development of good schools, supermarkets, and other facilities provide good job opportunities. Quality schooling highly impacts the lives of children and can provide them with the support required for a successful and stable future.

• Other amenities like parks, recreation centers, libraries, etc. are available to residents of these areas.

• Crime rates reduce.

• Increase investments.

The darker side of gentrification:

The benefits of gentrification (among most other things) are mainly felt by the affluent, whereas the burden of it is borne by people of lower income. Often, the people who originally lived in the neighborhood are forced to move to a different location to accommodate the development procedures. Even if they aren't displaced in the initial stages, when housing options eventually become more expensive, they might have no other option than to leave. In addition to this, the burden of displacement disproportionately affects lower-income people of color and aged people. When elderly individuals are displaced, this affects their social relationships as well because it is harder for them to maintain distant relationships and forge new ones.

Even if these people somehow manage to remain, they usually cannot afford to enjoy the new amenities because they cater to the lives of newer residents who have a higher income. For example, new shopping centers and malls that are filled with expensive stores, and the unavailability of cheaper alternatives.

Several things play a part in the causes for the negative impacts of gentrification. The main one is wealth inequality, which is also a direct result of systemic racism. Rebuilding the systems that allow this to take place is the first step.

In conclusion, although newly gentrified neighborhoods promise inclusivity and diversity, that is often not the case. It is the responsibility of local governments and city planners to ensure that people of backgrounds are considered and recognised while designing housing facilities. And it is time we hold them accountable for the same.

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