Not what you typically see when reading about gentrification - this article sheds positive light on a viewed strength of gentrification, the creation of diversity. Formerly segregated communities of black and Latino populations are said to become more diverse with the advent of gentrification in their neighborhoods according to this New York Times article by Hector Tobar.
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| Credit: Eddie Ruvalcaba for the New York Times |
This is a continued piece regarding the case for two-way streets and their associative value to commercial districts and neighborhoods. Planetizen authored this story and conducted the research. They claim that traffic accidents, crime, and abandonment fell while housing prices climbed on two-way converted streets. In addition, local business enterprises had increased business revenue and customer traffic.
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| Image source: Planetizen |
Street Performers. Whether you approve or disapprove, street performers are a likely scene in many vibrant cities and within public areas in shopping districts. This short news article points to the potential problem of too much regulation for performers that more often add to the character and vitality of an area than detract. New licensing requirements and guidelines are on the horizon in Saratoga Springs, NY despite opposition.
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| Image source: getintothis.co.uk |
This article by Sustainable Cities Collective gives eight best practice principles to creating the "perfect" sidewalk in commercial and downtown districts. For example, proper sizing and quality surfaces make the list, read on to see why.
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| Photo credit: Luísa Schardong | Source: Sustainable Cities Collective |
A growing trend for both downtown districts and real estate agents is the Baby Boomer population moving to urban downtown's as they become empty nesters. One element that makes this segment of Baby Boomers more interested in relocating closer to downtown is that they are working well into retirement. Is this, however, a strong enough demographic shift to change retail mix?
The signs of a neighborhood's transformation are often subtle appearing as nothing more than an innocent series of beautification projects. In reality these projects are part of a large plan for a comprehensive architectural and demographic seismic shift that inevitably financially exiles the long-term residents.
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