In the Chicago land area alone, gentrification plays a huge role. Gentrification is the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx or middle class of affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. In other words, it is when the city tears down a building where people live, to update its area and raises prices so high that tenants cannot afford it any longer, forcing past tenants to move into poorer areas. Hundreds of lower and middle class income people have been afflicted by gentrification in Chicago, but it really isn't as bad as people make it seem, it is a sign of economic growth and improvement. Dave Ross states in his article how gentrification works that, “Many aspects of everyday life are being changed for the better, buildings and parks are renovated and beautiful. Not to mention when gentrification happened, it brings an increase in construction activity, and not only this but it also lowers crime rates.” The way most people see gentrification is that the new arrivals benefit …show more content…
Gentrification can bring many things to a city, such as renovation and shifts in an urban community lifestyle and an increasing share of wealthier residents and/or businesses and increasing property values. The bad things it brings would be leaving longtime home owners out of a home because taxes on their property have sky rocketed and can no longer afford to pay. Not only this but in the process of gentrifying a community it kicks out the poorer residents and sends them to other neighborhoods which are just as poor and now overpopulated. If having to choose a side on this topic, I would have to say I am for gentrification. Despite its negative affects, I believe renovation is a huge part of life and that is how cities show economical strength and wealth, which then brings in jobs for many people all