Urban renewal and gentrification are two terms used to define the rebuilding and/or restructuring of “dilapidated neighborhoods into flourishing (and more economically valuable) urban spaces…” (Book, P.447). However, urban renewal and gentrification can have negative impacts on the lower class, and lower-middle class citizens, which reside within the communities being redeveloped by increased rent to even forceful eviction. However, to fully understand this topic, urban renewal and gentrification need to be defined, and determined how it effects the economy and citizens, understood how urban renewal can be balanced with the needs of the citizens, and demonstrated how urban renewal has effected the District of Columbia.
Urban renewal is defined as “the transformation of old neighborhoods with new buildings, businesses, and residences,” and this phenomenon has both positive and negative effects on any community (Book, P.447). Consequently, urban renewal is linked to gentrification which is an “attempt to change the socioeconomic composition of old and poor neighborhoods with the remodeling of old structures and building of new residences and shops to attract new middle- and high-income residents (Book, P.447). First, urban renewal and gentrification “…rebuilds a middle-class base of residents
…show more content…
However, the government needs to understand that its citizens should not be thrown aside just because, they live off minimum wage, and they should assist, and empower them to continue to be a part of a revitalized neighborhood. After defining urban renewal and gentrification, understanding how to balance it with the needs of the residents, and reviewed a real world example we can understand how it both effects citizens positively, and