What is Gentrification?

Gentrification isn’t new to our city at all. Since the 1960s, NYC has experienced it in many ways whether it be the brownstones in Brooklyn or redevelopment pushed into Harlem. But what is gentrification? Gentrification is when wealthier people move into historically low-income neighborhoods for social and economic benefits such as increasing property values, closer proximity to their jobs and well-funded education, and cultural “authenticity.” 

However, this brings issues to the initial inhabitants of these neighborhoods. With property values rising, rent becomes too expensive for residents, forcing some to relocate. Gentrification also affects local and minority owned businesses by forcing some to close down due to rent inflation. Most importantly, the arts and culture of communities in NYC are shadowed by gentrification. When culture is dulled, communities become homogenized and bland. In order to protect NYC from gentrification, it would require more affordable housing, preserving culturally important spaces, and political support to build and strengthen tenant protection. We need to prioritize stability in our community, whether it’s financially or culturally, in order to keep us together.