Listen to Grapple: From revitalization to gentrification

Gentrification is a controversial issue playing out in cities across America. What happens when wealthier residents begin to move into a lower-income neighborhood? Who gets to stay, and who doesn’t?

Gentrification is a controversial issue playing out in cities across America. What happens when wealthier residents begin to move into a lower-income neighborhood? Who gets to stay, and who doesn’t? On episode 09 of Grapple, we hear about how the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Hazelwood is on the cusp of change.

Hazelwood is a neighborhood in Southeast Pittsburgh that’s only four miles from downtown, but it’s hard to get to by public transportation. Besides feeling physically isolated from the rest of the city, residents in Hazelwood have watched other neighborhoods redevelop and cash in on Pittsburgh’s renaissance.

A big change is finally underway in Hazelwood, where a former coke and steel mill is being turned into a huge site for tech research, commercial use, and housing. Residents there are hopeful about the major new development and the potential job opportunities; but they’re also concerned the development could push them out of their community. They share their hopes and the fears about this major change.

On episode 10, we dig further into how gentrification is changing American cities. Jackelyn Hwang is a postdoctoral research fellow at Princeton University, and will join the faculty of Stanford University as an assistant professor of sociology in the fall of 2017. She discusses some of the latest trends and research around gentrification.