Geography of Gentrification…

I have not entered a post on geography for a while. Geography as many of you know, is a very inter-disciplinary field. My interests lie with urban geography and housing. Specifically, how neighbourhoods are constructed in inner cities and the various factors that attract and repel urbanites.

We are having a debate on gentrification next week in my Urban Planning class. It is going to be organized in my seminar as a public forum simulation hosted by the city councilor (my Prof). I am responsible for presenting a 5 minute presentation representing anti-poverty activists and social service providers. The other groups involved in this debate include the City Economic Development Official and City Planner, and the Residents Association. Last semester I undertook research on the gentrification of South Parkdale (a neighbourhood located in Toronto, west of the downtown area). The research I did covered the social, economic and political dimensions of gentrification. But my main argument or thesis was that cities need to have a more active role in managing the gentrification process. The Province of Ontario sets out most of the legislation on housing including the Tenant Protection Act.

Is Gentrification good or bad? Depends on who you ask and what kind of policy tools are available. Anyway, representing the anti-poverty activists, here are my main points:

-we need more stringent municipal policies that guarantee minimal displacement i.e. strict rent control, rent supplements, and inclusionary zoning
-City needs to provide residents with information about their tenant rights and what policies currently exist on housing (what is vacancy decontrol for instance?)
- create more employment opportunities in the area that is being gentrified i.e. gentrification usually brings reinvestment to the neighbourhood. Blue collar jobs however need not be eliminated and should remain an option for the low-income citizens.

Key message: Gentrification can help cities develop economically, but it can also lead to income inequality. Check out this link, courtesy of the Centre for Urban and Community Studies, U of T.