A new Focus on Facts is available:

Measuring the Seeds of Neighborhood Gentrification by Minkyu Yeom

Abstract: 

Cities experience constant change. Many changes need to be managed carefully because they can have serious consequences for city residents.

For many decades suburban sprawl and white-flight have caused falling property values, lower rents, lower tax receipts, lower quality public services, and sharp declines in the quality of life in many city neighborhoods. Despite these obstacles, many long-time city residents (often minorities, low-income families, and new immigrants) have worked hard to maintain a sense of community.

In recent years many younger, white, well-educated, and higher-income residents are moving back into older city neighborhoods. The influx of new residents is revitalizing many older neighborhoods. This can improve the quality of life for all.

More about Focus on Facts:

Focus on Facts provides brief, thought-provoking information about urban policy issues based on research conducted at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. Our purpose is to stimulate additional discussion and debate. The series includes a “Map of the Month” as well as other formats. Questions or comments about specific topics can be addressed via email to the author(s). Questions or comments about the series of publications can be addressed to the Focus on Facts editor, Associate Dean Bob Gleeson at r.gleeson@csuohio.edu.

This and subsequent reports in this series are available on the Focus on Facts newsletter page.