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Side Effects of Gentrification

Venue: TED Talks

Thesis: Gentrification creates a negative atmosphere amongst the longtime residents of the affected neighborhood and ultimately financially harms their livelihood.

The Merriam Webster 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”. The definition of gentrification alone lends itself to be defined as the destruction of lower class neighborhoods by the affluent population. Raising rent and housing prices as well as rebuilding the neighborhood creates a negative atmosphere amongst the longtime residents. Although bringing in gentrification can mean cleaner and safer streets it becomes difficult for the lower income families to afford the neighborhood. Having a safer environment is definitely a desire but what good is it if those already occupying the space can no longer afford their rent or pay their bills? The criminals are forced out but so is everyone else.

The process of gentrification starts with the introduction of chain stores. Chain stores such as Starbucks, for example, attract gentry into a neighborhood. Property owners take note that the gentrifiers are able to pay higher rents and home prices and results in higher property values that longtime residents cannot afford. Thus the longtime residents are forced to look for affordable housing now that their rent has increased. In addition, those residents are not able to afford places such as Starbucks. The local coffee shop now has to appease the gentry or lose business. Now longtime residents may lose their jobs, businesses and livelihood. Local politicians recognize gentrification in a neighborhood and look to focus on the higher income residents that have the financial income to support those politicians and their campaigns, leaving longtime residents feeling ignored and unwanted by their government. Continue reading Side Effects of Gentrification

Side Effects of Gentrification

Venue: TED Talks

Thesis: Gentrification creates a negative atmosphere amongst the longtime residents of the affected neighborhood and ultimately financially harms their livelihood.

The Merriam Webster 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”. The definition of gentrification alone lends itself to be defined as the destruction of lower class neighborhoods by the affluent population. Raising rent and housing prices as well as rebuilding the neighborhood creates a negative atmosphere amongst the longtime residents. Although bringing in gentrification can mean cleaner and safer streets it becomes difficult for the lower income families to afford the neighborhood. Having a safer environment is definitely a desire but what good is it if those already occupying the space can no longer afford their rent or pay their bills? The criminals are forced out but so is everyone else.

The process of gentrification starts with the introduction of chain stores. Chain stores such as Starbucks, for example, attract gentry into a neighborhood. Property owners take note that the gentrifiers are able to pay higher rents and home prices and results in higher property values that longtime residents cannot afford. Thus the longtime residents are forced to look for affordable housing now that their rent has increased. In addition, those residents are not able to afford places such as Starbucks. The local coffee shop now has to appease the gentry or lose business. Now longtime residents may lose their jobs, businesses and livelihood. Local politicians recognize gentrification in a neighborhood and look to focus on the higher income residents that have the financial income to support those politicians and their campaigns, leaving longtime residents feeling ignored and unwanted by their government.

Continue reading Side Effects of Gentrification