Gentrification in American Cities: Myths, Definitions, and Reality

Introduction: A Contested Urban Phenomenon

"Just like pornography, everyone seems to know 'gentrification' when they see it. See a Starbucks or Whole Foods move into a neighborhood? That's gentrification. Find out that a house sold for an exorbitant amount or that rents at some building doubled? That's gentrification. See bike lanes added to your street, or a rack of bike-share bikes pop up near a busy corner? That's gentrification."
— Pete Saunders, 2017

Gentrification is one of the most controversial issues in American cities today. But as the epigraph above clearly indicates, it also remains one of the least understood. Few agree on how to define it or whether it is a boon or a curse for cities. Due in large part to this lack of definitional clarity, opinions about gentrification have been largely shaped by the negative connotations and effects highlighted by the mainstream media. As Duany observes, "These days, whenever more than a handful of middle-income people move into a formerly down-at-the-heels neighborhood, they are accused of committing that newest of social sins: 'gentrification'" (36).

Not surprisingly, this negative public perception has represented a major, long-term obstacle to developing the types of public-private partnerships that can help rebuild the inner cities of many major American cities. Duany concludes that "this loaded term — conjuring up images of yuppies stealing urban housing from rightful inhabitants — has become embedded in the way many activists understand urban evolution. And the thinking behind it has become a serious obstacle to the revival of American cities" (36). More problematic for proponents of gentrification has been the uptake of this negative view by policymakers and the general public. Civic developers have long recognized the challenges involved in overcoming a "not in my backyard" mindset, and the residents of even deteriorating neighborhoods may be highly reluctant to allow positive changes in their communities if those changes may affect them negatively on a personal level. This reluctance is only heightened when the term "gentrification" is used without specifying what it actually means to the residents and business owners of a given neighborhood. Longtime residents and business owners have a vested interest in their communities, so any perceived threat to their individual interests will naturally be met with fierce resistance.

It is important to note, however, that although this negative view of gentrification has become especially pronounced over the past half century, the gentrification process has been a fundamental part of the American landscape since before the turn of the twentieth century. Gentrification has changed over time, with a history dating back to the early twentieth century. Since the late 1970s, it has dramatically reshaped cities like New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, exerting an outsized influence on their political, cultural, and architectural histories. Consequently, even the mere mention of the word is likely to start an impassioned debate.

In recent years, the ubiquity of this phenomenon has garnered growing attention from policymakers, the media, and the general public, causing a shift in both media and academic discourse. Through the case study of New York City, this paper analyzes journalistic and academic works to illuminate contemporary interpretations of gentrification. It also deconstructs the causes behind gentrification's negative connotation and examines how leaders and activists have worked to turn this misguided perception into support for the constructive revitalization of American neighborhoods.