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Gentrification: A Threat to DiversityFrom The Peopling of New York CityIn recent years, Jackson Heights has gentrified. Gentrification is the process of rehabilitating housing stock to sell it to an affluent clientèle. Our research explores the effects of gentrification on the neighborhood. What has changed since it began, and what has stayed the same? Most important, Jackson Height's diversity was established during a time of neighborhood downgrade; therefore, what will happen to this diversity during this time of gentrification and prosperity? We address all of these questions in this section. First, we discuss the establishment of the Historic District in Jackson Heights, and how it played an integral role in the revitalization of the neighborhood. The district was established to enhance the neighborhood’s image after the influx of minority groups into Jackson Heights. By analyzing the mechanisms through which the Historic District was established, we describe how the groundwork was laid for the neighborhood's eventual gentrification. We also discuss the residents and the groups that have taken it upon themselves to attempt to improve their neighborhood's image.   Next, we explore the marketing strategies for selling Jackson Heights. While the promotion of the neighborhood's ethnic diversity certainly dominates current advertisements for the neighborhood, this certainly was not the case before the establishment of the Historic District. It is also essential to examine how the marketing of Jackson Heights plays a role in who is being encouraged -- and discouraged -- from living in the neighborhood. We analyze real estate agencies' shifting goals for the neighborhood and explore how they altered their marketing strategies to accomplish them. We then provide data which depict the results of real estate marketing strategies, most notably a new high cost of living in Jackson Heights. Finally, we explore a significant consequence of the resulting gentrification on Jackson Heights: displacement. In addition to discussing this result of gentrification, we discuss whether it is a sign of prosperity for the neighborhood or if it is a threat. Here we identify which groups are reaping the benefits of gentrification and which groups are being forced out of Jackson Heights because of it.
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