by Khadija Hussaini
Climate gentrification, or green gentrification, is a rising issue for low-income communities. It refers to when a low-income neighborhood becomes more valuable because development makes it better prepared for the effects of climate change. When it becomes more valuable, the cost of living rises, and existing, low-income residents are often no longer able to afford to live there. They’re forced to move. This is called displacement, and it’s the key issue of climate gentrification.
As environmental investments are made in the community—developments like bike paths, additional greenspace and tree canopy coverage, sustainability programs, and EV chargers—property values increase and attract wealthier residents and businesses. This can lead to rising rents, higher costs of essential goods, and loss of community spaces, leading to physical displacement from neighborhoods. As climate researcher Isabelle Anguelovski puts it, climate efforts can create “privatized islands of resilience” for those who can afford it.
What are some examples of green gentrification in Boston?
Climate gentrification is not a new issue. Read on to learn about cases of green gentrification right here in the Boston area.
Rose Kennedy Greenway
In the 1960s, the city placed the Central Artery highway (part of I-93) onto a raised platform. The project forced out around 200 predominantly low-income Chinatown families to make room for the on-ramps. In the 1990s, the Big Dig project began, rerouting the highway underground and ultimately creating the Rose Kennedy Greenway Park. It also once again displaced long-time Asian families that had returned to the area.
A screen grab of the Rose Kennedy Greenway online interactive map. Find the map here: rosekennedygreenway.org.
While providing over a mile of green public spaces, the areas near the greenway are now popular for high-end business development. As much as 80% of Chinatown residents remained housing insecure in 2019.
East Boston’s Carbon-Neutral Housing
East Boston is a neighborhood with a large Italian and Latinx population near Logan Airport and Boston Harbor. It’s a frontline community grappling with air pollution, sewage discharge, and the pressing threat of sea level rise and resulting flooding. Sea level is projected to rise nine inches by 2030 and up to 40 inches during severe storms by 2070 in this area.
To address these last two risks, the City of Boston approved the Resilient Boston Harbor Plan and Climate Ready East Boston Plan in 2018. These projects promise elevated waterfront parks, pathways, docks, and resilient mixed-use development. Unfortunately, the City contracted private developers like Lendlease to implement the first phase of the plan. They built expensive, high-end eco-friendly buildings to the dismay of residents and activists. Since the completion of this phase, many families and long-time residents of East Boston have been displaced. This has raised concerns that the City’s resilience efforts will only serve the wealthy elite.
A visual representation of the projected flood risk changes due to sea levels rise. 9 inches is expected by the 2030s and 36 inches by the 2070s. Image: Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown, City of Boston, 2017
EV Charging Stations in Massachusetts
The City of Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Public Transportation (MassDOT) are rapidly building new electric vehicle charging systems. Boston is installing 120 publicly-owned curbside chargers and partnering with private vendors to ensure every resident is within a 10-minute walk of a charger by 2030. MassDOT has allotted $55-60 million for an EV highway fast charging network.
Increasing electric transportation access is important. But doing so equitably requires listening to communities and heeding their needs and concerns in project development. For many low-income residents, EVs remain unaffordable. Therefore, locating charging stations in their neighborhoods can raise property values and living costs, potentially displacing these communities through gentrification.
What can we do to resist climate gentrification?
Organizations like Greenroots Chelsea, the Asian Community Development Corporation, and the Green Justice Coalition are working towards a just energy transition in Massachusetts. Climable is also part of this effort. We’ve worked with communities to understand their energy needs and climate concerns to design locally-based solutions that ensure they remain central in the transition to a more climate-conscious, resilient state.
Get Involved in the Action
Support local organizations advocating for a just energy transition and ensuring climate resilience efforts do not leave vulnerable communities behind. We always need funding and volunteers at Climable!
Advocate for policies and initiatives prioritizing affordable housing and community spaces, and uplift the voices of long-time residents in the development of climate resilience projects.
Stay informed about the potential impacts of green gentrification and support efforts to maintain the cultural and economic diversity of neighborhoods during environmental investments