Views on Gentrification

How are your thoughts changing after completing Reading #3? How do the readings confirm or contradict your ideas?  

Here is a sample:

           Having read Joe Cortright’s article “In Defense of Gentrification,” I find some of the positive remarks conflicting with my ideas. It’s worth to note that I do believe in the process and its advantages; I think gentrification can be tremendously effective and sustainable for cities and neighborhoods’ development in their effort to become better, safer and prosperous. However, I also believe this is only possible when done correctly and evenly, a condition I find is missing as for now.

          In his essay, Cortright presents concluding evidence from a study conducted by the NYU’s Furman Center which claims that public housing residents living in gentrifying and economically thriving neighborhoods have better income, enjoy better security, and possess superior educational choices for their children. I agree with the fact that gentrified neighborhoods enjoy better and more security from outside danger and of course, I don’t dismiss the fact and idea that gentrification brings better schools either. Nevertheless, the claim that public housing residents have better and increased financials is troublesome. Even though the article doesn't mention it specifically, for the way this information is presented one can assume that gentrification always will bring financial stability for its residents, specially if they’re part of the public housing program, and I disown that claim. First, public housing residents do make more money but rather than this being true due to gentrification itself, I think this is most likely true because they don’t have to bear the burden of paying a high rent. As a result, they can count on more from their pay stubs and redirect that money to other necessities. Their higher income isn't necessarily due to better job opportunities. Second, even without paying rent, the cost of living in gentrifying neighborhoods, which are surrounded by wealthy people and wealthy living as well, can be way higher than their capacities. Gentrification doesn't always mean affordable. So instead of struggling with rent, low income residents could find themselves struggling with other basic expenses such as food and transportation.

          Finally, I also found conflicting Cortright's claims regarding gentrification not being a big displacement factor. This may be true when it comes to statistics and actual percentages, but there is a strong connection between people’s perceptions and their decisions. If people feel displaced or out of context for long enough, sooner or later they will act on those feelings, resulting in what people call displacement. Oftentimes, the feel that long-term and low income residents sustain about their gentrifying neighborhoods is exactly like this, displaced and out of context. Two worth mentioning examples of this are Jacy Webster and John Murph, who were interviewed by Michel Martin at the NPR News’ debate, “Gentrification: Progress or Destruction?” Again, this is a process where the wealthy gain for default. Considering and making amendments for the low income class and ensuring their thrive is what would really make gentrification work correctly and evenly.