The word gentrification was first coined by British sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964 when she observed certain alterations in the social structure and housing markets in certain areas of inner London (Mitchell, 2012). She noticed that it begins in a small district and rapidly proceeds until all or almost all of the working class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed (Mitchell, 2012). Because gentrification is such a widespread, international phenomenon that differs greatly depending on each case, there are many definitions. For the purpose of this essay, gentrification will be defined as Scottish geographer and widely accredited gentrification theorist Neil Smith (1982) described it: “the process by
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Gentrification emerged in the 1960s and intensified in the 1970s and 1980s; this is the period of time after suburbanization (which was the era that followed after World War II and the economic boom) (Smith, 1996). This era created a marked class division where cities were considered the “urban wilderness”, places of crime, danger, corruption and disorder (Boyce, 2004; Smith, 1996). The emergence of gentrification arose at a time when the imagery of cities transformed from anti-urbanization to a romanticized sentiment, saturated with language and ideas of the frontier. In the preface of “The New Urban Frontier: Gentrification and the revanchist city” by Neil Smith (1996), he describes how the influx of “urban pioneers” into cities can be considered the new urban frontier. These people are the new class of urban professionals, and are products of the restructuring of industry in inner city areas that transformed from manufacturing based industries to service based industries, subsequently predisposing them to living in the inner city, rather than commuting from suburban areas (Mitchell, 2012). The “urban wilderness”, seen as uncivilized and savage became the frontier, an area to be conquered and made livable for the affluent, regardless of the original inhabitants who they view as natural (and unpolished) elements of their physical environment (Smith, 1996). Smith considered …show more content…
Tax increases can be imposed on newly-bought homes instead of raising taxes on all homes that are affected by home value increases. This may ensure that older residents are not seeing property tax increases at the same rate as the gentrifiers, thus allowing them to keep up with their home payments relative to their incomes. Efforts to curb displacement must start before the economic paradigm of neighborhoods begins to change. Another possible macro solution would be to offer tax rewards to new businesses that hire residents within a set mile radius. This way, companies are given incentives to offer existing residents jobs rather than opting to outsource, remedying the joblessness that plagues many urban neighborhoods. Employment is an often-overlooked component of gentrification, with the common belief being that new businesses signify new jobs. However, often times certain discriminatory standards are set by employers to match the new presentation of neighborhoods, exclusive of those often displaced. Furthermore, once residents have been displaced to neighborhoods on the outskirts, these jobs become even less accessible due to transportation and economic constraints. The main problem with this policy solution is that many people do not like the idea of tax breaks or incentives. Urban pioneers often abide by neoliberalism, which favors the enhancement of the private
Gentrification emerged in the 1960s and intensified in the 1970s and 1980s; this is the period of time after suburbanization (which was the era that followed after World War II and the economic boom) (Smith, 1996). This era created a marked class division where cities were considered the “urban wilderness”, places of crime, danger, corruption and disorder (Boyce, 2004; Smith, 1996). The emergence of gentrification arose at a time when the imagery of cities transformed from anti-urbanization to a romanticized sentiment, saturated with language and ideas of the frontier. In the preface of “The New Urban Frontier: Gentrification and the revanchist city” by Neil Smith (1996), he describes how the influx of “urban pioneers” into cities can be considered the new urban frontier. These people are the new class of urban professionals, and are products of the restructuring of industry in inner city areas that transformed from manufacturing based industries to service based industries, subsequently predisposing them to living in the inner city, rather than commuting from suburban areas (Mitchell, 2012). The “urban wilderness”, seen as uncivilized and savage became the frontier, an area to be conquered and made livable for the affluent, regardless of the original inhabitants who they view as natural (and unpolished) elements of their physical environment (Smith, 1996). Smith considered …show more content…
Tax increases can be imposed on newly-bought homes instead of raising taxes on all homes that are affected by home value increases. This may ensure that older residents are not seeing property tax increases at the same rate as the gentrifiers, thus allowing them to keep up with their home payments relative to their incomes. Efforts to curb displacement must start before the economic paradigm of neighborhoods begins to change. Another possible macro solution would be to offer tax rewards to new businesses that hire residents within a set mile radius. This way, companies are given incentives to offer existing residents jobs rather than opting to outsource, remedying the joblessness that plagues many urban neighborhoods. Employment is an often-overlooked component of gentrification, with the common belief being that new businesses signify new jobs. However, often times certain discriminatory standards are set by employers to match the new presentation of neighborhoods, exclusive of those often displaced. Furthermore, once residents have been displaced to neighborhoods on the outskirts, these jobs become even less accessible due to transportation and economic constraints. The main problem with this policy solution is that many people do not like the idea of tax breaks or incentives. Urban pioneers often abide by neoliberalism, which favors the enhancement of the private