Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. Because it tends to change the character of neighborhoods, it is a common and controversial topic in politics and in urban planning.

Why Is gentrification a problem?

Gentrification is a highly contested issue, in part because of its stark visibility. Gentrification has the power to displace low-income families or, more often, prevent low-income families from moving into previously affordable neighborhoods.

What is gentrification and why is it bad?

Gentrification is a housing, economic, and health issue that affects a community's history and culture and reduces social capital. It often shifts a neighborhood's characteristics, e.g., racial-ethnic composition and household income, by adding new stores and resources in previously run-down neighborhoods."