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

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

Get top-rated, practical training

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2 - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

May 2 - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

May 2 - 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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO