expert article

The Cost of the New Hip Neighborhood is The Price of Another's Displacement

Displacement Happens in our Backyards

Being in Los Angeles means that displacement is happening every day. From the eviction of Lil Bill’s bike repair shop on the USC campus to residents priced out of their homes the act of displacement is changing the very fabric of the city. The local bike shop business owner who was integral to USC community was affected by the new USC Village: his business was shut down after operating for over 40 years. During an interview with an anonymous displaced former Crenshaw resident, she described an area that was once deemed affordable and “unsafe” become a place for young, affluent individuals. Previously at night, she stated it was dangerous to stroll down the street, it was impossible to feel comfortable while turning into dark corners. Now due to gentrification, now walking down the street at night does not feel like there is always an impending danger. The former resident explained women could be seen jogging alone at night because they feel comfortable and safe enough to travel by foot alone before this would have been a rare sight. She explained, “even before the Crenshaw line/ train line is complete residents see their rent raised dramatically, their neighbors move out daily and the police presence increase.” This is an example of how gentrification affects people’s everyday lives.  Businesses that have existed for decades are being shut down due to the rent price hike.

What is Gentrification?

The technical definition of gentrification is “the displacement of lower-income long-time residents by the economic and social pressure that results from the influx of higher income newcomer resident”(Chase). In reality, the health and wellness of families, communities, and cities are drastically affected by Gentrification. In the outlook of a displaced resident, “impoverished people moved to the city for job opportunities, but urbanization became cool and drew in higher class people. The people who have been in the cities for necessities are moving out of necessities all over again.” The chic attributes of urbanization attract people who are on the look-out for the next hip spot.

Privileged people take over these areas without consideration for the people who currently reside there.  They see a new area filled with opportunity but forget about the people who have called that city their home. The lower class people who initially moved to these towns for fundamental humans needs are losing their basic necessities to survive. “The former residents are forced to move out of the comfort of their homes and must seek a new, less upscale city to live. ” New trendy neighborhoods have been emerging across the United States at a considerable rate. These areas seem to develop rapidly, but in reality, new contemporary regions are meticulously outlined. New exciting neighborhoods are captivating privileged young creatives, but decimating the communities of the people who previously inhabited those areas.

The Negative Effects of our Cities and Well-being

1.    Air and traffic

2.    People living in bad conditions

3.    Rising homeless population

Through displacement and gentrification, the community members are not merely moving 5 miles away from their old homes, but sometimes it can be over 20 miles away. This not only affects their physical health, but it affects the overall health of the city, due to the commute to major city hubs. People commuting to these center points from long distances increases air and traffic pollution.  Most blue collar work in upscale communities are performed by people can’t afford to live there themselves. When speaking with an anonymous planning commission chair, she explained, “people who live in areas such as Malibu or Woodland Hills are living in these massive 6,500 sq ft homes which they are not cleaning them themselves, but they do not want the workers to be living close to them.

Displaced community members are forced to exist in conditions which do not meet standard code, and are extremely atrocious and hazardous living environments. The planning commissioner later described, “households of four or more are forced to live in basements or one-bedroom apartments. Some of the living conditions lack basic necessities, such as running water and electricity.” These conditions exist due to the costly living of cities such as Los Angeles. Gentrification that is not better for the existing community members escalates the unaffordability epidemic.

The homeless crisis in major cities, such as Los Angeles, is amplifying as a result of gentrification leaving people with nowhere to live. Unfortunately, some residents do not have the privilege of moving, by cause of their lack of personal or city provided resources. A displaced resident stated,“ if the city truly wants to combat homelessness, they will have implement stricter regulations on developers and landlords. This will ensure that current residents are not displaced into homelessness and that the current homeless population has affordable housing.”

Community beneficial development

Development is not the main issue for communities, but the current trend of gentrifying areas causes a considerable amount of complications. The former Crenshaw resident stated, “development should not displace citizens. It should benefit the current community.” She then brought me to a beneficial community development called Mercado La Paloma, across the 110 freeway from USC. Mercado is a food hall which provides several restaurants and merchandise under one central roof. She described how Mercado used to be a sweatshop before it was a marketplace.  A housing nonprofit bought the building and created an incubator, for solely first-time businesses owners. The reasonably priced food makes it affordable for surrounding neighbors. A massive banner displayed, “the area has historically suffered from lack of investments - quality jobs and business opportunities.” The Mercado has taken the initiative to change the awful trend. Los Angeles and other diverse cities are amazing places, because of the salad bowl of different kinds of people and cultures coming together. Think about when you go through the city who was here before. We occupy space in areas that are rapidly changing. Get to know some of the local business and people that are in the neighborhood. When visiting new hip areas, think of what existed before.

Work Cited

Billingham, Chase M. “THE BROADENING CONCEPTION OF GENTRIFICATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND AVENUES FOR FUTURE INQUIRY IN THE SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF URBAN CHANGE.” Michigan Sociological Review, vol. 29, 2015, pp. 75–102. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/43630965.

DeVerteuil, Geoffrey. “Resisting Gentrification-Induced Displacement: Advantages and Disadvantages to 'Staying Put' among Non-Profit Social Services in London and Los Angeles.” Area, vol. 44, no. 2, 2012, pp. 208–216., www.jstor.org/stable/23251536.

Hayes, Rob Hayes. “Bike Repair Shop Fighting on to Stay at USC Campus.” ABC7 Los Angeles, 31 Mar. 2017, abc7.com/business/bike-repair-shop-fighting-on-to-stay-at-usc-campus/1829094/.

Smith, Neil. “The New Urban Frontier.” Google Books, books.google.nl/books?hl=nl&lr=&id=EMM2xowSlEgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=gentrification&ots=Gwi_fcMF47&sig=en2fI0SQBL7W1byVysIttUDBqko#v=onepage&q=chic&f=false.

Son, Sua. “Hipster Urbanism and the Transformation of Our Cities.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 4 Nov. 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/sua-son-/hipster-urbanism_b_4181628.html.