The Limits of One Perspective on Gentrification

Blogger Alex Block provides a review of the “There Goes the Neighborhood” podcast, featured on both The Nation and WNYC.

First, in praise of the series, Block says it shares an “emotional response on tape in a way you can only accomplish on radio, complete with all of the vocal inflections and intonation, putting a human sound on a complex set of issues.”

But Block also has a few criticisms, such as the show’s lack of definition for gentrification. “By keeping things nebulous, the producers are able to capture the responses and reactions from New Yorkers without putting their thumb on the scale. They range from concerns about housing costs to new restaurants that don’t feel like they’re ‘for us.’ Cultural changes, economic changes, social changes – it’s all there,” writes Block.

That “nebulous” characteristic also means that it’s impossible to identify and evaluate any policy responses to gentrification. In addition to pointing out some telling errors in analysis, Block insists that the conversation about gentrification must continue. According to Block, “these are important conversations to have. Taking action to fight gentrification will require building a political coalition; one that’s bigger than just the market urbanists or the anti-displacement activists.”