Chinatown Research Paper

891 Words4 Pages

Chicago 's Chinatown has changed, expanded and evolved as businesses and people come and go. Articles about Chinatown like "Here 's why Chicago 's Chinatown is booming, even as others across the U.S. fade" from the Chicago Tribune mentions that some people believe that Chicago 's Chinatown has avoided gentrification, which is why it continues to thrive as other Chinatowns do not. Even though I can see where they based their statement on, I disagree and think that Chicago 's Chinatown has experienced gentrification and will continue to.

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a district so that it conforms to a middle-class taste. Some may see this as a bad thing, that by conforming to new standards the residents are compromising the culture of …show more content…

Not only that but when residents do move out, they sell their properties to other Asian people. It 's not an unknown fact that Chinatown has always been and still is majorly occupied by Chinese people. Since Chinatown is occupied by Chinese residents who set up shops like bakeries, grocery stores, and restaurants, they help to keep the culture alive of traditional customs like going out and drinking tea for breakfast. To let businesses located in Chinatown to thrive, there needs to be the gentrification of new businesses to attract more people around the world to come to the Chicago Chinatown. For example, the Jaslin Hotel allows people from further places to come and stay so they are able to enjoy more of the things that Chinatown has to offer, while Starbucks can give them a familiar taste while experiencing the unique tastes of the Asian culture. Gentrification should not be seen as destructive to the Chinese community but a mean of business and expansion to further display the Asian culture to