The community was long known as predominantly Greek and Italian, but tensions existed with the African-American community. As whites moved to the suburbs, they were replaced with a "poly-glot mix" without the tensions. Next challenge: gentrification.
"Queens, N.Y., is one of the most diverse urban spaces in the world, and one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Queens is Astoria, across the East River from upper Manhattan," writes Alexandra Starr of NPR's Code Switch team. [Listen here.] People of different races, ethnicities, and cultures "coexist pretty peacefully, but that wasn't always the case. The explosion of diversity has helped foster a more tranquil community."
No one group dominates numerically. That's a change from a few decades ago, when Astoria's newer immigrants were basically Greeks and Italians, and there was a great deal of tension between the Italians and African-Americans living in the neighborhood.
An African American store-owner confirms that tension. "When I was growing up, kids would say, 'You can't go across 21st Street' [considered a racial barrier, explains Sofya Aptekar, a sociologist at the University of Massachusetts], because something is going to happen to you," he says. "Now things are much more peaceful. With the increase in minority groups, everyone seems to have found their own space.
"The neighborhood isn't done changing, says Aptekar. New luxury housing is going up, including two buildings right next to public housing," writes Starr, suggesting the next transformation for the neighborhood may be rooted in economics rather than cultural diversity.
"I think a lot of people who have lived in the neighborhood for a long time are worried," says Aptekar. "Does it mean ultimate displacement?"
Queens expert, John Roleke, says not to worry. "The last few years lots of young professional and hipsters have discovered the neighborhoods, but unlike parts of Brooklyn, they're not really gentrifying the neighborhood, just raising the demand for housing," he writes in his introduction to "Top 7 Reasons To Live in Astoria, Queens." Of course, many would assert that he is describing the basis of gentrification.
Another Queens neighborhood was recently profiled in real estate section of The New York Times: "Sunnyside, Queens, ‘Mayberry’ Near Midtown."
FULL STORY: NPR: In New York's Multinational Astoria, Diversity Is Key To Harmony

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.

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

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?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie