The people or the place? : revitalization / gentrification in San Francisco's Bayview Hunters Point

Abstract

The long-neglected minority neighborhoods of Bayview and Hunters Point, San Francisco, are facing the prospect of an uncertain future. The next few years will bring to the neighborhood intense private and public investment in largely market-rate residential developments, large-scale commercial development, new transit service, and massive environmental remediation of abandoned toxic sites. With this renewed interest in the area comes the potential for speculation, rising property values, and the likely displacement of the predominantly low-income, African-American neighborhood residents. With the specter of gentrification looming over these new projects, how can the community ensure that benefits arising from ecological clean-up and neighborhood reinvestment are borne by them, and not gentrifying newcomers? This thesis explores the process of community planning and examines proposed future community benefits of redevelopment projects in Bayview Hunters Point.

(cont.) Drawing inspiration from struggles and innovative programs in other cities, community members, faith-based coalitions, union leaders, organizers, and others can work towards equitable development without resident displacement - revitalization for and by the community of Bayview Hunters Point. This thesis intends to explore those paths in the unique context of Bayview Hunters Point. Key words: gentrification, displacement, redevelopment, process, community organizing, economic development.