7 Responses to “more on gentrification”

1. posted by Daniel at March 16, 2006 7:43 pm :
   

   I have two words why NYC should not be the model… rent control.

2. posted by rs at March 16, 2006 7:44 pm :
   

   One of the reasons poor residents are less likely to move from gentrifying neighborhoods is that studies show that violent crime goes down in neighborhoods undergoing gentrification (while property crime tends to go up for a while). The reasons for this are myriad: as there is a correlation between abondoned property and crime; more owner occupied dwellings lead to extended territorial control exerted by residents; gentrifying neighborhoods tend to have more active citizen- based crime prevention organizations; and they tend to get the ear of city service providers becuase they expect to get services for their tax dollars (and some even have web site forums that sell their own t-shirts!). Fear of being shot is always a bigger motivation to move than rising real estate values. Ironic that my comment comes on the heals of, ahem, someone being shot up the street.

   So, if established residents don’t mind the conspicuously consuming cadre that have suddenly invaded their environs; with their NPR and Jimmy Buffet blasting; garish 4 color victorian porch paint schemes; college alumni flags flying; and empty starbucks cups and bottles of Pinot Nior littering the bottom of perfectly good trash cans..then they tend to stay and enjoy a generally safer community.

   Sorry if that last part was too “David Brooksian”.

3. posted by Anonymous at March 17, 2006 9:27 am :
   

   I’m sure someone has an anecdote about some little old lady to counter what I am about to say, but the Richmond experience of gentricfication is so different than elsewhere. Most of the new housing downtown here was already abandonded before “gentrification” - or it was never occupied as a residence - like the warehouses. Certainly someone can counter with the experience of their extremely sympathetic elderly neighbor, but regardless of sad stories here and there, it’s vastly more frequent that a boarded up house, empty lot, (illegal) roomming house or empty warehouse is transformed in Richmond.

4. posted by Anonymous at March 18, 2006 11:53 am :
   

   I guess I should again qualify my “gentrification = less violent crime” after last night’s shooting. Or, could it be, this area needs even more gentrification in order to get some crime prevention traction northwards? Needless to say, this city can use all the middle class value system it can get when it comes to dispute resolution.

5. posted by Anonymous at March 18, 2006 9:11 pm :
   

   The police have been fighting crime, drugs and the neighborhood in that area for the last 20 years. It’s a lot better than it was. Some things just take time. Be patient and watch you and your neighbor.

6. posted by john at March 18, 2006 10:21 pm :
   

   We’ve seen big changes in our little area in the past 2 years.

7. posted by Anonymous at March 20, 2006 12:25 pm :
   

   I have not lived here for 2 years, and thus I cannot be satisfied with 2 year historical trends. In fact, by the end of year, if current in-fill and restoration work continue at its evident pace, a good portion of our neighborhood would not have lived here for 2 years. Anyway, I would think these downward crime trends are more attributable to neighborhood change than anything else (and the heightened expectations of public benavior and city services expressed by new comers). So, all I am saying is that any policy that facilitates continued neighborhood change in the recent direction should be welcomed. And weekly shootings in our streets will not at all facilitate this end.

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