Inclusive Prosperity: No Displacement Necessary

Recent analysis identifies nearly 200 U.S. neighborhoods that have achieved the highly-sought-after goal of increasing the prosperity of residents without displacing the existing community.

2 minute read

September 15, 2022, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


BART Train

The Fruitvale transit and shopping district, located in Oakland, California, is one heavily cited example of a model of urban redevelopment achieved without resulting in a high level of displacement. | Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock

Nearly 200 U.S. neighborhoods defined by concentrated poverty have reduced poverty without displacing current residents—showing that investments in neighborhoods are possible without causing displacement.

The findings come from the “Reducing poverty without community displacement: Indicators of inclusive prosperity in U.S. neighborhoods” report written by Rohit Acharya and Rhett Morris for the Brooking Institution. Other key findings from the report include evidence of inclusive prosperity as a hallmark of these neighborhoods: better-than-the-national-average retention of local residents alongside increasing property values and small business activity.

The research findings greatly expand the number of case studies available of low-income neighborhoods allowing investment without displacing the community. Fear of gentrification is often cited as a reason for opposing investment in vulnerable communities—but these findings suggest that investment without displacement is possible.

The report also identified eight indicators of neighborhoods achieving inclusive prosperity. External indicators, from the environment around the neighborhood, include positive economic growth, lower homicide rates, and low risk of displacement. Five internal indicators, which show the prosperity of residents within the neighborhood, include higher rates of homeownership, lower residential vacancy, increased housing density, greater self-employment, and the presence of community organizations.   

Previous Planetizen coverage of the connection between increased levels of investment and displacement:

Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in Brookings

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

5 hours ago - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA