Assessing residents’ opinions on changes in a gentrifying neighborhood: A case study of the Alberta neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Abstract

In this article, I use survey data to examine residents' opinions about changes in the gentrifying Alberta neighborhood of Portland, OR. This neighborhood is diverse in terms of race, socioeconomic status, tenure status, and length of residence, and there has been an influx of educated white residents, some of whom have been instrumental in creating the new "Alberta Arts" identity, coupled with a decline in black residents, businesses, and cultural institutions. I evaluate which of the residents are most likely to approve of these changes.The majority of the residents like the way the neighborhood is evolving. However, homeowners and longtime white residents are more likely to approve of the changes. Further analysis reveals that homeowners and white residents have more relations with-and are more trusting of-their neighbors and shop more at the neighborhood's new grocery store. Homeowners are also less likely to feel vulnerable to being displaced.

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“…When these amenities are brought into a low-income area through gentrification, they can bring tangible benefits and, therefore, be positively experienced. This sentiment was noted by Monroe Sullivan (2006) who found that most long-term residents of a gentrifying neighbourhood in Portland experienced the change as positive and were also optimistic about the future of the neighbourhood. He concluded that 'researchers who focus on the ill effects of gentrification also need to be open to the possibility that the majority of residents .…”

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“…Despite these largely positive views, two groups were less likely to approve of neighborhood changes: renters and long-time African American residents. Trust among neighbors, which differed for African American and European American residents (32% vs. 65%, respectively), emerged as an important predictor of approval of past and future neighborhood changes (Sullivan 2006). Unfortunately, former residents were not interviewed, some of whom may have been forced out of the neighborhood and likely had more negative views of neighborhood changes.…”

“…Research regarding how African Americans and European Americans feel about living in neighborhoods with varying levels of ethnic integration paints a complex picture (see Sullivan 2006, for a review). Research on residential preferences (Krysan and Farley 2002) revealed that approximately 75% of African Americans preferred to live in integrated neighborhoods, and the vast majority noted valuing ethnic diversity and the positive effects of integration (e.g., improved race relations) as the top two reasons for this preference; improved neighborhood resources was also noted as an advantage.…”

“…Media portrayals and prior ethnographic research has focused mainly on the most outspoken advocates and critics of gentrification, but less is known about the views of local residents who do not publicly advocate for or protest against neighborhood changes (Sullivan 2006). African Americans in gentrifying neighborhoods held diverse views.…”

“…The gentrification literature highlights some examples of such advocacy. In some gentrifying neighborhoods, European American residents made special efforts to promote ethnic integration, patronize local businesses, advocate for more affordable housing, and support community organizations that helped bring the community together (see Sullivan 2006, for a review). For example, gentrifiers in ''Eastern City'' (Anderson 1990) bought and renovated housing units, which they sold or rented to African American residents, and organized social events to promote community integration and celebrate ethnic diversity.…”