http://mic.com/articles/102004/these-7-cities-expose-exactly-what-gentrification-is-doing-to-america?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social
This article focuses on how gentrification is not actually as great as it seems. At first gentrification looks as if a low-income neighborhood is getting an upgrade, but it soon becomes apparent that this upgrade is only for those who can afford the new cost of living in that neighborhood. This process displaces the poor and raises the prices of not just rent, but all goods sold in the neighborhood.
I think it is very important that people see how gentrification works, and how the correlation of race and income have an underlying influence in this issue.
I tend to view gentrification as both a good and bad thing. While it may drive some individuals out of their homes and neighborhoods, we are often left with no choice but to trust the change. After all, things in the neighborhoods may simply get worse without any intervention.
ReplyDeleteWhile gentrification can have its negative effects such as small business displacement, I feel that overall it is a good thing, particularly for homeowners. Increased wealth and commerce in an area drives home values up and leads to more investment into the community. This is why so many urban planners and developers look at gentrification as a potential answer to poor communities.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that there is another view point to gentrification that puts it in a bad light, however there are pros and cons to everything. It is obviously very unfortunate and not ideal to displace people of low-income and raise the price of living in their neighborhood, however it's a step towards a better living environment and raises the standards of living in that area.
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