Future jackson heights

From The Peopling of New York City

Back to the Future

The ultimate paradox introduced in this website -- that the selling of diversity, which leads to gentrification, in Jackson Heights will eventually lead to its elimination -- presents numerous questions and concerns regarding the neighborhood's future. If the forces of classical, predominantly white, middle class gentrification prevail, the diversity which once drew hip yuppies to Jackson Heights will be replaced by the homogeneity of the white, middle America that they wished to escape.

How will the real estate market then actively seek out immigrants to continue the diversity that has characterized Jackson Heights in the last three decades? Or will it continue to sacrifice the prime selling point of this area for increased property values, taxes, prestige, and ultimately profit? Will the remnants of the diverse community band together to preserve their presence in the neighborhood? Will the diverse community willingly leave Jackson Heights to pursue an alluring neighborhood that satisfies their needs and demands? Or will the diversity of Jackson Heights become a part of its history, like the restrictive covenants of the early twentieth century?

The answers to these questions are answered in the faces of its newest residents; the future of Jackson Heights is looking more and more like its past. The neighborhood, which began as a haven for white, middle class Americans, is returning to its roots. The diverse population that has been used to sell the neighborhood has also been used to gentrify it. Rising investment and increases in costs of living, renting, and housing have made it seem impossible that the instruments of diversity -- the wide array of culture, businesses, and residents -- will be able to live and thrive in a community which they are effectively being priced out. Only in the future will we be able to determine the effect of gentrification on Jackson Heights.