Elizabeth Austrom
2006 August 23
Executive Summary
This report synthesizes the causes of gentrification and the best practices to prevent displacement due to gentrification. Gentrification is defined as “the process by which higher income households displace lower income residents of a neighborhood, changing the essential character and flavour of that neighborhood” (Kennedy & Leonard, 2001).
The report is limited in scope to North American case studies and is limited as it:
• Presents a synthesis, not a critique by the author.
• Presents the findings, both positive and negative as presented by the research, without additional commentary from the author.
The report identifies and discusses five factors that are key in triggering gentrification. These include:
• Rapid job growth
• Housing market
• Preference for city amenities
• Traffic congestion and lengthening commutes
• Public sector policies and investment
An examination of various case studies in North America illustrates best practices in preventing displacement due to gentrification. These best practices identified include:
• Affordable housing strategies
• Economic development strategies
• Education of residents
• Having a community association to develop a unified vision and advocate for residents
• Controlling public assets
• Development of community cohesion
This report concludes that all of the identified best practices will aid in reducing displacement due to gentrification and makes two specific recommendations for the City of Calgary:
• It will be beneficial for the City of Calgary to further investigate affordable housing strategies that have worked in similar communities in North America and Europe. Future research in this area is highly recommended and may include a more in-depth review of the case studies presented in this report and additional case studies throughout the world. The research could be presented in a similar format to this document and conclude with recommendations for the City of Calgary based on the findings.
• Creation of an effective economic development strategy aimed at local disadvantaged Calgarians would be beneficial in preventing displacement due to gentrification. A locally based program, which is easily accessible to the demographic group in need and that addresses local residents, local concerns and the local economy will likely benefit residents of revitalizing communities as well as the growing number of homeless individuals and many other residents in Calgary. Future research may begin by studying the efforts in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
This report synthesizes the causes of gentrification and the best practices to prevent displacement due to gentrification. Gentrification is defined as “the process by which higher income households displace lower income residents of a neighborhood, changing the essential character and flavour of that neighborhood” (Kennedy & Leonard, 2001).
The report is limited in scope to North American case studies and is limited as it:
• Presents a synthesis, not a critique by the author.
• Presents the findings, both positive and negative as presented by the research, without additional commentary from the author.
The report identifies and discusses five factors that are key in triggering gentrification. These include:
• Rapid job growth
• Housing market
• Preference for city amenities
• Traffic congestion and lengthening commutes
• Public sector policies and investment
An examination of various case studies in North America illustrates best practices in preventing displacement due to gentrification. These best practices identified include:
• Affordable housing strategies
• Economic development strategies
• Education of residents
• Having a community association to develop a unified vision and advocate for residents
• Controlling public assets
• Development of community cohesion
This report concludes that all of the identified best practices will aid in reducing displacement due to gentrification and makes two specific recommendations for the City of Calgary:
• It will be beneficial for the City of Calgary to further investigate affordable housing strategies that have worked in similar communities in North America and Europe. Future research in this area is highly recommended and may include a more in-depth review of the case studies presented in this report and additional case studies throughout the world. The research could be presented in a similar format to this document and conclude with recommendations for the City of Calgary based on the findings.
• Creation of an effective economic development strategy aimed at local disadvantaged Calgarians would be beneficial in preventing displacement due to gentrification. A locally based program, which is easily accessible to the demographic group in need and that addresses local residents, local concerns and the local economy will likely benefit residents of revitalizing communities as well as the growing number of homeless individuals and many other residents in Calgary. Future research may begin by studying the efforts in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
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