The concept of Spatial Justice was well discussed in the article entitled Spatial Justice: A Frame for Reclaiming our Rights to Be, Thrive, Express, and Connect. Within that article was a section focused on the framework behind both spatial justice and injustice which caught my interest for this week's readings. Something that I've personally witnessed and researched in surrounding neighborhoods in both Cleveland and even Edinburgh, Scotland, was the first injustice mentioned. This Spatial Injustice was "Denying the right to BE for poor people." This was described in the article as gentrification in areas that have forced families out of neighborhoods where families have lived for years and generations. Within this section lies the question of whether or not this denies the right to BE for poor people.
This issue is so current and relevant all over the world, not just our country. I really feel that this is something that is both beneficial and terrifying for a community. On one hand, it can completely revitalize a community's economy through new business and increased property values or with new housing developments. On the other side, it also replaces family businesses that can't afford the new rent and pushes out families with the increased property values. I'm very neutral with the concept of gentrification because I've reaped the benefits of these revitalized communities but recognize what has to be done in order to receive these new and improved areas. The issue of poor people losing their home is very startling since finding affordable housing for a certain demographic can be very difficult when you've lived and want to remain in the same neighborhood. Gentrification removes several options for the lower-class part of society.
This issue is so current and relevant all over the world, not just our country. I really feel that this is something that is both beneficial and terrifying for a community. On one hand, it can completely revitalize a community's economy through new business and increased property values or with new housing developments. On the other side, it also replaces family businesses that can't afford the new rent and pushes out families with the increased property values. I'm very neutral with the concept of gentrification because I've reaped the benefits of these revitalized communities but recognize what has to be done in order to receive these new and improved areas. The issue of poor people losing their home is very startling since finding affordable housing for a certain demographic can be very difficult when you've lived and want to remain in the same neighborhood. Gentrification removes several options for the lower-class part of society.
Some examples of this spatial injustice happening is in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland and several other districts in this city. You can read more about what has changed in this area here: http://www.scotsman.com/news/five-districts-of-edinburgh-changed-beyond-recognition-1-4431739. A very current issue of gentrification occurred in the Cleveland area in a place called Glenville. There's a really good discussion of it found here: https://www.cityclub.org/events/for-the-love-of-cle-the-delicate-balance-of-attraction-and-retention. At that link, you can find a panel discussion on the topic of Glenville's gentrification and if it is possible to find a balance between attraction and retention. It was such an interesting conversation that helps put into perspective the spatial injustice problem that we face today.
Hi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteI like your submission, especially the part which reads “This issue is so current and relevant all over the world, not just our country”. Similar to your ideas, when I also read the article Spatial Justice, it reminded of my homeland, Ghana. Over there too, the issue of Gentrification has marginalized some classes of people who are poor and underprivileged in areas like East Legon and Cantonment. It is important to note that, marginalization in my context does not apply to one’s race but socio-economic status (wealth). Using East Legon (a town in the Accra Metropolitan district) as a typical example reveals how a place which was in the last three (3) decades inhabited by all classes of people tends to be now dominated by wealthy local and multicultural inhabitants. This shift is as a result of the opportunity the rich saw in the area considering its geographical layout and proximity to the airport and University of Ghana. For this reason, the wealthy coerced the underprivileged with huge sums of money in exchange for their houses, with which majority obliged; thereby forcing them out of where they have lived for generations.
Under this condition of persuasion and acquisition by the rich, East Legon has over the past few year’s undergone extensive revamps in terms of social amenities and infrastructures. The area is presently characterized by modern architectural buildings, sports complexes, good roads, shopping malls, reputable international and local schools which uses either Ghanaian or foreign academic curricula. However, these amenities are only enjoyed by high profiled people who can afford the living standards and not the poor who cannot; they scarcely live here.