Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

With the growing population of urban neighborhoods around the world, 30% of these neighborhoods are targets of gentrification. Specifically, black neighborhoods are twice as likely to be displaced by gentrification than any other demographic. The displacement of these communities leads to loss of community ties, cultural heritage, and access to resources causing economic inequality within major urban cities. Gentrification can be defined as the reinvestment of capital at the urban center to produce space for a more affluent class. Since this cycle of gentrification has been recognized, architects have studied ways to avert the genesis of gentrification. Urban developments like the Highline in New York City and the Beltline in Atlanta demonstrate that urban redevelopments can be catered to affordability and supports rejuvenation of a community, however these developments still end up displacing existing residents. This thesis aims to understand how urban community development can cater to the existing lower income communities and provide economic resilience against wealthier urban development displacement. Atlanta is among the leading cities affected by gentrification with 27% of its neighborhoods being victims. For a city with such rich black history and culture, gentrification and redlining have left lasting effects on the economic inequality of its’ metro neighborhoods. With the new green-lining effect of the Beltline surrounding the Westside, the Atlanta Bankhead neighborhood is currently being threatened by new urban developments attracting a more affluent class to buy out their homes. This thesis proposes a new approach to urban development that gives the Bankhead community a space to build skills that help sustain their community while integrating into the changing urban fabric that surrounds them.