How to Prevent 'Green Gentrification'

Laura Bliss writes about park projects in cities across the country that have led to rising property values and gentrification, such as the High Line in New York City and the BeltLine in Atlanta. "This pattern of new parks creating housing pressure might lead observers to wonder whether such investments are a good idea, if they threaten to displace the very people they were intended to serve."

A new report from researchers at the University of Utah and UCLA looks at anti-displacement strategies related to park projects. "Based on the report’s findings, 'greening without gentrification' calls for actions that are common in broader efforts to stabilize changing neighborhoods," notes Bliss.

Bliss says that anticipating and preventing displacement is a shift in thinking. Previously, a boost in property values was considered a positive outcome of a park project. "The good news is, park developers are beginning to realize the need to evaluate all of these side-effects before they break ground," she adds.