Former President Barack Obama Addresses Gentrification

Former President Barack Obama is facing a new kind of politics while working to support the development plan for the Barack Obama Presidential Center.

1 minute read

March 7, 2018, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rosa Parks

President Obama sits on the Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, April 18, 2012. | Barack Obama Presidential Library

The Obama Administration often failed to live up to the hopes of those who hoped a president from Chicago would prioritize the needs of cities at an unprecedented level, and since he left office, former President Barack Obama hasn't exactly had smooth sailing while seeking approval for the Barack Obama Presidential Center.

The Barack Obama Presidential Center is planned for a location in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago, where it's run into doubts and opposition concerning displacement, traffic circulation, an adjacent Tiger Woods-designed golf course, and the preservation of Jefferson Park, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

With that context in mind former President Barack Obama recently appeared at a community forum in Chicago to answer public questions about the proposed Presidential Center, according to an article by Joe Cortright. Obama ended up devoting a lot of words to the subject of displacement, which you can watch in the video below. Cortright has also posted a transcription of Obama's remarks.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in City Observatory

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

'Vertical canyon' on glass-clad residential high-rise in Denver, CO.

Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design

Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.  

November 29, 2024 - designboom

View of snowy buildings and mountains in background in Denver, Colorado.

Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers

The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.

December 6 - Next City

Woman rides bike on paved walkway through plaza in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth To Relaunch Bike Share System in January

Trinity Metro shuttered its current system at the end of November and plans to relaunch with a mostly-electric system.

December 6 - KERA News

Blue Kansas City transit bus on Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit

The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.

December 6 - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.