Gentrification - A brief note

Gentrification is a controversial subject because it has many ethical concerns tied to it. Gentrification is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas”. This is the obvious positive side of gentrification resulting in a better residential area for people to move into while getting rid of old properties.

The concern with gentrification is it is often at the expense of those living in poverty who are forced to move out of the area. For example, many criticize the development of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis because many people pointed to gentrification pushing those living in poverty further away from downtown to make room for the university. The plus is the area is now well developed and attracts many young professionals to the area. The downside is the ethical concern of forcing people out of the area in order to make room for the university.