Challenging Gentrification

1 Credit · Level: Undergraduate

Challenging Gentrification: Toward a More Just City. What does gentrification mean? Why do neighborhood gentrify? Who benefits from this process? How do urban policymakers respond to gentrification? In this seminar, we will interrogate the process of gentrification through an analysis of Washington, DC. By investigating the persistent legacy of racial segregation and disinvestment from largely African-American neighborhoods, students will begin to understand the history of American cities as a contested site for gentrification. We will discuss questions about the rights of long-term citizens to shape their own communities, the unequal distribution of benefits that result from neighborhoods change, and the policies enacted by local governments that impact gentrification. Ultimately, the course aims to provide students with a toolkit to participate in the creation of more equitable, just cities. Students will develop skills to engage as critical urbanists with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping contemporary urban life.