What we want is reinvigoration rather than gentrification (5)

Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods, Serious Issues, Southside 1 Minute

(The latest in a series of posts on the Southside and Neighborhoods)

Paige Van Wirt is a Bethlehem City Councilwoman, physician, and small business owner.

Gadfly:

Thought you might like a little light reading on Gentrification. I think it helps give perspective to what we are seeing on the southside. See the sub-links to each header.

5 Must-Read Perspectives on Gentrification

I think there is a way to retain southside residents, and the great, funky quality of life in South Bethlehem, while attempting to minimize displacement of residents, while creating a more stable housing stock  and stronger local economy.  It’s tricky, but I think it can be done.  But it must be acknowledged by the administration that not all development is “good,” especially if it changes a neighborhood’s fundamental identity. I think the right word  for what we want is reinvigoration, rather than gentrification.

Paige

Published by The Bethlehem Gadfly

Edward J. Gallagher, Bethlehem immigrant, retired, nearly 50 years as Professor of American Literature at Lehigh University, known as "Dr. G" and "Conan the Grammarian" to students, whose virtual world avatar "EdwardScholarhands" stares at you here, has reinvented himself as the Bethlehem Gadfly.

Published

One thought on “What we want is reinvigoration rather than gentrification (5)”

  1. The Strong Towns site [www.strongtowns.org] — especially its knowledge base section [help.strongtowns.org/help] has a wealth of common-sense information for planning & revitalizing communities.

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