Urban Studies Coursework Example

Name Instructor Course Date Urban Studies Introduction The growth of urban centers have been a source of benefits but have contributed to numerous challenges as well. In this paper, the concept of gentrification will be examined regarding its effect on development in cities. The paper also covers the structural macroeconomic trends in the American neighborhoods, the Latinos, and the other more deprived communities. Finally, the paper examines policy options for urban plan agenda. Gentrification Gentrification has been argued as a necessary evil in many cities across the world. Gentrification refers to a process in which middle-class resident move into an area, probably a town or an upcoming urban center (Aka 1). As the wealthier residents move into a region populated with more impoverished inhabitants, the neighborhood begins to change, often sparking an urban renewal as the more affluent individuals start to effect change. The changes may range from exponential growth in the area, and economic growth as taxes, rents, and demand for primary commodities begin to rise. Safety also improves with gentrification as the need for security heightens. In fact, studies by Aka shows that more impoverished inhabitants are least likely to migrate from gentrifying neighborhoods compared to the non-gentrifying surroundings (Aka 2). Thus gentrification is essential for transformation of a weak region by increasing the availability of social amenities and infrastructure. From this context, it is likely that we view gentrification as a useful aspect of social and economic growth. However, gentrification is considered to be a significant problem for the communities and neighborhoods where it occurs. In this regard, I disagree that gentrification is a positive development in cities across the nation. Gentrification creates a win-lose situation in cities and cannot be trusted to bring positive development in cities. One of the reasons why gentrification is not a positive dev...