Marcuse (1999) as cited in Curran (2006) defines
gentrification as the movement into a previously working class area by
upper-income households, such as professionals, managers, and technicians. The
new gentry results in the displacement of the former lower-income residents.
Many of the neighborhoods that are being gentrified are industrial
neighborhoods meaning that they house manufacturing sectors that serve
important urban niche and provide employment to those who are less educated
(Curran, 2006). As gentrification evolve, these manufacturers are faced with
displacement because their space has become attractive to upper income
individuals who are concerned with converting buildings into residences.
Gentrification has been around since the 1960s and has played a significant
role in New York; it has become the focus of intense investment and prominent
consumption by a new generation of rich financiers.
Lees
(2003) analyzes the process of "
super gentrification" in Brooklyn Heights and the impact it has on the
pre-existing community. "Super gentrification" refers to a community
that was already gentrified with prosperous
upper middle class neighborhoods into much more exclusive and expensive community.
Brooklyn started thriving after 1814 when Robert Fulton's steam ferry allowed
for crossing the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn and became one of
the first neighborhood in the U.S to gentrify. Today, Brooklyn Heights is one
of the city's most expensive and desirable neighborhoods. What made Brooklyn
known as one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S in the 19th century was
its historic homes, brownstones, and public buildings that were made in
Gothic revival style, the Italianate,
and other fashionable styles, such as, Queen Anne and Romanesque revival
houses. In the early 20th century, Brooklyn Heights lost its elite status when
the subway arrived and opened up the neighborhood to commuters. As a result of
this, many of the upper middle class residents fled to more distant suburbs and
left behind their large brownstone apartments to be divided into apartments and
boarding houses.
Around the late 1950s and 1960s, the Heights was rediscovered by young adults who were willing to invest labor and money; they began redeeming the old houses and making Brooklyn Heights a more desirable alternative to Manhattan's expensive apartments (Lees, 2003). By then Brooklyn Heights had been gentrified and artists and writers started to move there. In the 1950s, the Brooklyn Heights Association renovated Brooklyn Height's historic brownstones; at the time the homes cost around $20,000-$30,000 and by the early 1960s, they were being sold for $65,000-$120,000. The renovation of the brownstones changed the face of the neighborhood and was once again returning to a fashionable and prosperous brownstone community.
Around the late 1950s and 1960s, the Heights was rediscovered by young adults who were willing to invest labor and money; they began redeeming the old houses and making Brooklyn Heights a more desirable alternative to Manhattan's expensive apartments (Lees, 2003). By then Brooklyn Heights had been gentrified and artists and writers started to move there. In the 1950s, the Brooklyn Heights Association renovated Brooklyn Height's historic brownstones; at the time the homes cost around $20,000-$30,000 and by the early 1960s, they were being sold for $65,000-$120,000. The renovation of the brownstones changed the face of the neighborhood and was once again returning to a fashionable and prosperous brownstone community.
Another
part of Brooklyn that has been affected by gentrification is Williamsburg.
Curran (2006) explores the process of gentrification and the experience of
industrial displacement in Williamsburg. Williamsburg is considered to be one
of the most industrial areas of New York City and contains the largest
concentration of jobs in the food sector, apparel, and fabricated metals.
Williamsburg not only have jobs to offer but it is also attract residents
because of its incredible diversity with different races, ethnicities,
different religions, and class. What was originally a predominantly Irish and
German area at first experienced an influx of Eastern Jews and Italians around
the 20th century. Today there is a variety of ethnicity in Williamsburg, 41%
white,43.6% Hispanics, and 5.7% African American (Curran, 2006).
Williamsburg
has been targeted for gentrification because of its industrial loft space.
During the 1970s, Williamsburg transitioned from industrial to residential use
which put manufacturers at risk of displacement. Lofts were converting to
apartments or industrial buildings and were replaced with high rise
condominiums. A lot of business owners agreed that Williamsburg was a good
place to do business because it was close to Manhattan and also there were
public transportation that allow workers to get to work. Due to the rising
costs of real estate and lack of space, a lot of business owners relocated or
closed their businesses. While business owners are negatively affected by the
conversion of industrial space to residential use, it has been profitable for
landlords in that they have been buying out pre-existing industrial tenants.
Gentrification has its pros and cons. The pros are that it reduces crime in the area, there are more jobs available due to new businesses, and better looking neighborhood. The cons are that the people who are forced to live can become homeless because they can no longer keep up with the cost of living, loss of jobs or job change due to having to move, moving cost because relocating can be expensive both financially and emotionally, and can result in emotional stress because displaced persons may experience
negative emotional effects such as stress, anxiety and depression due to the
forced and unwanted
changes in their lives due to gentrification.
References
Curran, W. (2007, July). From the frying pan to the oven: Gentrification
and the experience of industrial displacement in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn. Urban Studies, 44(8), 1427-1440.
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