As my first research project, I have chosen to delve into the processes of gentrification around the world, with a case study I photographically examined in Cork, Ireland in parallel to my research of a case study in New York City’s Harlem. As I have worked in Harlem for three summers and have lived in Cork for five months just this year, the idea of ongoing gentrification of both areas both fascinate and worry me. Gentrification is characterized by the coerced or forced removal of one neighborhood to be replaced by another set of residents, often more affluent than those they are replacing. Gentrification thrives by diminishing affordable housing in order to displace the existing population, with hopes that more affluent residents could bring economic growth to the area. What contrasts these two case studies is that Cork desperately seeks to gentrify it’s dilapidated city and expand it’s population, whereas Harlem is vigorously fighting against the continual gentrification of their historically black neighborhoods and fight for their right to remain in their city.
Really interesting read about two cities I don’t feel I know very much about. The comment about Ratner slid in was a humorous addition, especially considering that the result of the Columbia campus doesn’t appear positive for the resident’s. A bit of irony. It does seem as though NYC is slowly building in ways that many locals are not happy about. Soon it may not be the city people look to move to, especially if they feel like their voice isn’t being heard. Perhaps it’s too big to satisfy everyone, but that could lead it into being a city only the wealthy can afford to stay in. Anyways, great job! It was cool to find the contrasting connection between the international cities!
I found this article very interesting. I grew up in Harlem for a big chunk of my life and have seen the changes that have gone on in the neighborhoods. I found it interested that in Ireland they are trying to keep the people in while in New York it appears that they want them out. I don’t think many people realize how big of an impact large projects, like the new campus in NY, affect the residents already there. The fact that manhattanville is set to open is intriguing. It makes curious on how the developers weigh out the benefits. In this and Brooklyn Matters it seems as if they don’t truly care about any of the residents that they are displacing.
-Kam Tavarez
This was definitely intriguing to see the contrast between two areas experiencing gentrification. With the university being in Cork, graduate students remaining in the area would obviously highly benefit economic growth, but it is clearly an issue that they are being driven out in order to find work. In Harlem, although the new development projects are meant to improve the area, they are noninclusive of the residents’ opinions and we have seen before how important it is to have community involvement. I am curious to see how the contrasting areas turn out. The project included good visuals of each area and solid information!