Gentrification without displacement

Abstract

Gentrification is the movement of a moneyed class or the gentry into disinvested urban neighborhoods. This action facilitates displacement of existing residents in the formerly disinvested neighborhoods. This displacement is another step of a long history of marginalization of low-income minority communities. Unites States housing policy has facilitated urban disinvestment and marginalization for the past 80 years. The Station North area of Baltimore presents the current tension between gentrification and displacement. The research presented defines the development ecosystem, gentrification and displacement characteristics, and existing plans for affecting Station North. The research leads to a conclusion that under current conditions displacement cannot be prevented. However, lessons from Station North can be utilized for future inner city development strategy that minimizes displacement. Areas for further research on displacement minimization are presented. Lastly, this is client-based thesis for Ernst Valery Investments (EVI). The research and analysis provide a foundation for EVI's community wealth building philosophy and offers potential opportunities and pitfalls of EVI strategy.