The Gentrification of Street ART by Meghan Kelly
Williamsburg, BrooklynGentrification, the turn over of land, the changing demographics of a neighborhood is not an uncommon practice in New York City. Williamsburg was originally the area where factories and manufacturing were push out of eye sight and out of the city. The workers of these facilities also resided in these neighborhoods. Most typified as immigrant hubs, the neighborhoods were highly diverse with populations seeking cheap rents in comparison to the city (Curran, 2007). Gentrification- as seen in the similar situation of Greenwich village in the 70s- begins with the edgy artists who obtained residency in urban warehouses, creating artsy lofts and galleries (Desbians, 2012). These new hipster “immigrants” become a staple in forming an up and coming, “cool” neighborhood. As Manhattan continues to grow and population density skyrockets, individuals needing an escape from the city follow the trend and flock to Brooklyn. With the Manhattan skyline still visible, Williamsburg has become the perfect escape; it has also created tensions between old residents and new residents (Leland, 2012).
“The big perspective is that gentrification has changed tremendously since the 70s and 80s. It’s no longer about housing. It’s really a systematic class-remaking of city neighborhoods… it’s about creating environments.” Neil Smith
Results by Study StreetTrendsClick on the following Links to investigate the trends found on each respective study street.
S Third Ave. Metropolitan Ave. N Eighth Ave. |
MethodsField research and landscape analysis was conducted in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to look at changes in landscape through street artwork and murals. The artwork and murals are highly representative of the people in the neighborhood. Street artwork has proven to be another signature of gentrification, adding to the overall environment of trendy cafes and bars, and vintage clad hipsters.
The landscape and feel of the neighborhood was documented along each street from Union St. to the waterfront. Special note was given on each street for national representative flags, signature names of businesses, schools, galleries, religious affiliation, types of homes, types of business etc. These noted features set the stage and provide an adequate visual representation of the landscape. A photo was taken of every piece of street artwork that lined each particular street. The photos were geo-referenced giving each photo an approximate location displayed in the interactive Flickr map below.
Demographic data provided by the US census was also analyzed to identify displacement of individuals due to gentrification practices and to link street artwork to old and new residents. The census tracts were then mapped to give a visual representation to where certain populations live and then relate that information to the types of artwork in that area. Changes in zoning are a key feature in gentrification practices. Zoning allows certain types of land use practices to be regulated. While positive in theory, zoning can be maipulated by property owners and governments. This study takes zoning into account by comparing current zoning ordinances surrounding each study street and its effects on gentrified artwork.
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Conclusions
Gentrification is an evolving process that has created New York neighborhoods for decades. Prior studies have dissected gentrification in terms of rents, land use, zoning, and demographics but less research has been put into gentrification as a means of creating environments. This new theme encompasses street art as an indicator of changing environments whether its representative artwork of a neighborhoods cultural heritage, artists and their galleries, hipster intellectuals making a statement on the landscape, or artwork being painted over for a more quaint settings. This study has correlated demographic displacement and changes with the particular occurrences of artwork and has looked at zoning’s impact on artwork. While gentrification is not driven directly by individuals- mostly land speculators, governments, landowners etc-, artwork is a personal reflection on the landscape and creates an environment gentrified or not.
Sources
Curran, Winifred. "'From the Frying Pan to the Oven': Gentrification and the Experience of Industrial Displacement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn." Urban Studies 44.8 (2007): 1427-440.
Desbians, Nicholas. Public Spaces of New York City. New York, New York. 18 Mar. 2012. Lecture.
Leland, John. "In Williamsburg, Rocked Hard." The New York Times [New York] 28 May 2011, NY/Region sec.
Nelson, Kate, and Mark Morales. "Brooklyn Gentrification Meets Resistance from Longtime Latino Residents in South Williamsburg." New York Daily News [New York City] 16 Sept. 2011.
GIS Data Collection:
US Census Bureau: Census Tracts and Demographic data from 2000 and 2010 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
New York City, Department of City Planning: Zoning District Data http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/subcats/zoning.shtml
Desbians, Nicholas. Public Spaces of New York City. New York, New York. 18 Mar. 2012. Lecture.
Leland, John. "In Williamsburg, Rocked Hard." The New York Times [New York] 28 May 2011, NY/Region sec.
Nelson, Kate, and Mark Morales. "Brooklyn Gentrification Meets Resistance from Longtime Latino Residents in South Williamsburg." New York Daily News [New York City] 16 Sept. 2011.
GIS Data Collection:
US Census Bureau: Census Tracts and Demographic data from 2000 and 2010 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
New York City, Department of City Planning: Zoning District Data http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/subcats/zoning.shtml