Externalities of Growth
From The Peopling of New York City
Introducing Smith's "Externalities of Growth"
As Christopher Smith writes in his 1995 article “Asian New York: The Geography and Politics of Diversity,” “whenever a community grows rapidly, there are costs that usually have to be incurred by the residents” (Smith 76). In Flushing, these costs, which he calls “externalities of growth,” have become extremely contentious issues especially between older residents and newer ones, as older residents are likely to blame newer immigrants for most changes for the worse. An important aspect of Smith’s externalities, however, is that they are generally unintended consequences. Furthermore, the problems themselves are present regardless of who brought them about in the first place, and their daily manifestations concern numerous Flushing residents.
He argues that the establishment of the Asian community has, in fact, helped revitalize the neighborhood, however, "this positive scenario does not … tell the whole story” due to the experiences of other ethnicities who are not “enjoying the benefits of Flushing’s revitalization to the same extent as some of the local Asians.” The other significant source of complaints comes from the aforementioned old-time residents, according to one who claims, “the new Flushing … looks like hell” and has “too much traffic, filth, and chaos.” In the years that have passed since Smith’s article was written (as well as revised, in 2006, with tellingly few changes), these various concerns still hold.
Opinions on what exactly is wrong with Flushing, and which wrongs are most pressing, naturally vary from resident to resident, but a core of common complaints nevertheless remains. Smith’s examples of Flushing’s negative externalities are “rising housing prices, overcrowding, noise, traffic congestion, poor schools and crime.” The three which deserve special focus (in addition, of course, to the socially and politically loaded issues of overdevelopment and commercial signage) are traffic, rising housing prices, and crime.
Positive Externalities and Flushing's Future
While a thorough examination of the negative externalities of Flushing will paint a rather bleak image of the neighborhood’s condition, it will also inevitably yield some positives. The single greatest asset is Flushing’s great diversity: according to Smith, in the year 2000, Asians made up 51.9% of the population of Flushing, Hispanics 20%, Non-Hispanic blacks 4.5%, and non-Hispanic Whites 23.1%. Though, as is perhaps most blatant in the issue of commercial signage, ethnic diversity can be a source of great conflict, it is also a very significant asset – in an April 2008 interview, for instance, New York City Councilman Tony Avella stated outright that, despite the negative aspects, ethnic diversity is definitely more of an asset than a challenge to the Flushing community. It is also undeniable that, earlier in the city’s history, the arrival of the Asians in Flushing saved the neighborhood from economic blight.
Another asset (though also intertwined with a challenge) is Flushing’s convenience as a transportation hub with the numerous connecting bus lines and easy access to Manhattan, as well as proximity to LaGuardia airport. Commercial vibrancy and entrepreneurial energy add to the character and attractiveness of downtown Flushing as well, though ethnic conflicts may arise in their midst; these factors, in turn, help lead to further growth and change.
The sheer amount of significant changes – both positive and negative – that have taken place in Flushing over the recent decades would be enough to unsettle even the most open-minded and optimistic residents; yet there are people that have lived in Flushing for very long and personally witnessed the genesis and growth of all these issues who nevertheless persevere in their pride in Flushing. It is, in fact, most encouraging to hear words of hope not from up-and-coming politicians or businessmen or stakeholders, but from those who have lived and taken part in the community for decades, and have experienced their share of suffering but nevertheless remain optimistic regarding Flushing’s future. In the words of Jay Williams, long-time resident and community leader of Flushing, “I do think there is hope for our future. I think we can learn to get along and live with each other, but there has to be communication.” If even the older generations are open to that kind of change, then surely there is hope for the younger ones – and so Flushing will surely change for the better.