Role Of Gentrification In Philadelphia

Jordan Sanjaya

Professor Odell

English 102

April 23, 2013

City Beautification of Philadelphia

It would be nice if Philadelphia became a clean, beautiful city. Abandoned buildings become new, clean family houses, retail complexes, and shiny skyscrapers. Graffiti on walls are scrubbed and repainted to become wall murals where everything has pretty colors. Someday unused vacant lots will be a huge shopping mall or fancy restaurant. The city of Philadelphia will be a great-looking and sustainable place for upper-class families and working-class people. That is what Philadelphia municipal government wants, but city beautification can create one problem—gentrification. Gentrification occurs when Philadelphia uses beautification projects,
This will increase the property, housing, and rental costs. Poor people cannot afford to live in expensive neighborhoods. City beautification does not only bring benefits for small businesses but can present problems with serious penalties. Various opinions tell whether the city beautification is either to gentrify or beautify. The main reason for the beautification projects is to gentrify the city of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s city beautification did not occur until late 19th and early 20th centuries. City beautification was established in other cities: Chicago, New York, and Pittsburg. In the early 19th century, major cities had suffered from poor transportation systems, street systems, environmental sanitations and housing facilities. Andrew Crawford, who was an author of Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, wrote that the municipal government should be responsible for building a better city. Pittsburg reviewed the aspects of city planning—it provided recognition to understand the functions of the city: government, commerce, industry, education, society, recreation, and religion. These
Matt Sanderson, a West Philly resident, states that West Philadelphia changed when the vacant lots became new residential and retail complexes. New houses will attract wealthy people to West Philadelphia, so the income of this community will increase. According to data, most residents in West Philadelphia will be more white than black—the purpose to bring more white people is a consequence from gentrification. Gentrification will occur in West Philadelphia when city beautification continues. West Philadelphia will improve neighborhoods as the wealthy population slightly increases while poor people get pushed out (2012). In the case of West Philadelphia, this neighborhood will become alike to Rittenhouse Square if a gentrification continues. Lornet Turnbull, article writer, reports that the poor neighborhoods in Philadelphia are at risk over the construction of a $20 million apartment complex. As a result, crime will decrease in West Philadelphia because in few years ago, there was a drug and gun violence in West Philadelphia. Moreover, the neighborhoods increase safety and police monitor. Capitol Hill Housing (CHH) will affect the poor community—CHH negotiates in purchasing a building on the street where longtime family owners live. If the deal is agreed, the city will rezone West Philadelphia to add more housing. It will