Summary
For the second Apollo project, I decided to further my investigation on the important issue of gentrification. In the previous project, I was able to gather various perspectives on this issue from different communities within Baltimore, MD and the perspectives from a community leader (James Alston). To have a further understanding of all the aspects of gentrification, I decided to focus my project two around the perspective of a developer in charge of revitalization/development project. To do so, I interviewed York County Economic Alliance development member Kimberly Hogeman to examine her point of view on revitalization projects within York, PA and gentrification overall. I then was able to compare and contrast all of the different views and create a final product that presented all the information I have found on gentrification over the last two projects.
ENGLISH
For the English portion of the project, I decided to write two free-versed poems. One poem consisted of the perspective of a developer who’s in charge of a revitalization/development project, and the other from an individual who has been negatively impacted by gentrification. These two pieces of writing allowed me to analyze and compare/contrast the various perspectives on gentrification
The first poem is written from the viewpoint of a person who was negatively impacted by gentrification. Throughout this poem, the speaker explains specifically how gentrification has affected his/her community, family/people and overall way of life. In the poem, I wanted to express how victims feel before, during and after gentrification precisely. I also wanted to present all of the research I conducted on this aspect along with the community perspective.
The second poem is written from the viewpoint of an individual in charge of revitalization/development projects. Throughout this poem, the speaker explains why he/she believes development is vital to helping enhance or keep a community/area alive and growing. I wanted to express just how developers view the issue of gentrification and present all of the research I conducted on this aspect.
Although both poems somewhat share the same rhyme scheme and format, they differ in the way gentrification is presented to the reader through the unique viewpoint in which each is written in.
Click down below to read both pieces!
Social Studies
For the social studies aspect of the project, I created a list of interview questions in which I used to interview York County Economic Alliance development member Kimberly Hogeman. I was able to gather the perspective of a developer on the issue of gentrification and better understand the governmental and economic impact this issue has had on developmental projects and gentrification victims. I decided to interview a developer from York, PA to compare/contrast the impacts of gentrification on small vs. large areas ( used knowledge gained from analyzing gentrification in Baltimore, MD from Gentrification: Part 1 in order to complete this comparison).
Click down below to read through this interview!
English Snippet
"Through Their Eyes"
Poem I
Through my eyes I see different
I see the changes approaching
I hear the people changing
I feel the culture-shifting
I sit on my mama's porch
me and it waiting
watching the final scene
as it’s unfolding
Squinting I view the buildings
approaching with each passing day
one here one there
they tower above the people who have chosen to stay
What is that I hear as I turn my ear
not the bubbling of Mrs. Brown's gumbo
but the sound of clinking glasses
and the hammer of the masked people
The feeling of warmth slowly fades
along with the love and support I have grown to know
not a soul is seen as dusk approaches,
not Mrs. James nor Mr. Alston or my favorite songs blasting from the corner store’s radio
I step off the tattered porch
as it stays waiting
watching the final scene
as the credits begin rolling
Poem II
Through my eyes I see different.
I see the potential that it holds.
I hear the voices of change.
I feel as if I can make a difference.
I carefully watch the hustle and bustle,
as ideas rage in my head each unique.
Others don't seem to understand the vision,
or the potential that holds for the people and those who care to see.
So much noise but nothing is getting done.
I hear the others yelling as they argue with each other,
but no one is willing to be the first at the plate,
no one seems to want to pick up the hammer.
I feel the responsibility weigh on my shoulders,
along with the pages of directions and the whispers of the people.
I sit and watch as dawn approaches,
waiting to unmask the plan believing and hoping its success is able.
Poem I
Through my eyes I see different
I see the changes approaching
I hear the people changing
I feel the culture-shifting
I sit on my mama's porch
me and it waiting
watching the final scene
as it’s unfolding
Squinting I view the buildings
approaching with each passing day
one here one there
they tower above the people who have chosen to stay
What is that I hear as I turn my ear
not the bubbling of Mrs. Brown's gumbo
but the sound of clinking glasses
and the hammer of the masked people
The feeling of warmth slowly fades
along with the love and support I have grown to know
not a soul is seen as dusk approaches,
not Mrs. James nor Mr. Alston or my favorite songs blasting from the corner store’s radio
I step off the tattered porch
as it stays waiting
watching the final scene
as the credits begin rolling
Poem II
Through my eyes I see different.
I see the potential that it holds.
I hear the voices of change.
I feel as if I can make a difference.
I carefully watch the hustle and bustle,
as ideas rage in my head each unique.
Others don't seem to understand the vision,
or the potential that holds for the people and those who care to see.
So much noise but nothing is getting done.
I hear the others yelling as they argue with each other,
but no one is willing to be the first at the plate,
no one seems to want to pick up the hammer.
I feel the responsibility weigh on my shoulders,
along with the pages of directions and the whispers of the people.
I sit and watch as dawn approaches,
waiting to unmask the plan believing and hoping its success is able.
Social Studies Snippet
Why do you believe York has developed so much in recent years?
In addition to the upturn in the local economy, I believe this is a combination of efforts including the ripple effect of revitalization. “rising tides lift all boats” It starts slowly and gains momentum.
What is the most significant change you have seen so far?
There are so many. But one of my favorites:
The increasing food scene downtown has a wonderful effect. There are more choices and more opportunities for success. The addition of new and trendy restaurants brings new people downtown who then shop at other retails stores or stay for the cultural experiences. It also attracts the downtown workforce to stay after work and socialize and spend their dollars. The increasing number of restaurants hire new people, buy ingredients, and pay for support services.
As York becomes regionally and nationally recognized for projects such as the bid for the York Innovation District, how are organizations such as the York Economic Alliance keeping the community involved?
The York County Economic Alliance serves as both the economic development organization for the County, but also the York County Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the chamber functions, the YCEA has a strong workforce development team who focuses on the job market needs, employment, talent attraction, and education programs to keep the pipeline of future workers strong.
Our Ambassador Program is another great tool for keeping the community engaged and involved. Ambassadors new and existing members to get involved through participation and are a backbone of volunteers in the community.
In her response, Hogeman explains how the organization she is a part of, The York County Economic Alliance, helps to keep the York community involved in the development of the area through its development team. This team works to aid the needs of York residents such as education and job market needs. As I analyzed Hogeman's response, I was able to understand how some development organizations such as the YCEA have or need to have systems in place to help those residents who are finding it difficult to adapt to developmental changes. These changes have an impact on residents being able to find well-paying jobs, affordable places to live, etc. This response will later create the context behind Hoegman's response in the last question and my overall analyzation of her perspective on gentrification.
What are some of the policies and regulations in place when an organization/business wants to add to or develop the area?
Zoning regulations and policies are handled at the municipal government level. The YCEA works closely with both businesses and municipalities to help facilitate these conversations and to provide both with additional resources to encourage business growth or development, when appropriate.
As York further develops, are those in charge of development projects and York County officials concerned about gentrification?
Absolutely. There is a difference between revitalization and gentrification. Improving an area for the existing population and the existing demographics is always important. It is important to take a close look at the needs of the community and be smart in your targeted goals, growth areas, development plans, and zoning regulations. As YCEA staff and the projects or initiatives that we are involved in, we strive to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to strategic development and the positive impact it will have on the community.
In her response, Hogeman explains the difference between revitalizing and gentrifying an area and how gentrification can be prevented from occurring. As I analyzed Hogeman's response, I was able to conclude that Mrs. Hoegman greatly cares about her community, the development that is occurring and the people who are being impacted by those the development. I was also able to conclude how Hogeman views gentrification as the issue it is and how it is important to know the goals into revitalizing an area so that gentrification does not occur.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
To showcase all the information I gathered on gentrification, my free-versed poems and the interview I conducted with Ms. Kimberly Hogeman, I decided to update the informational newsletter I originally created in Gentrification: Part 1 .
Click down below to be redirected to this article!
Click down below to be redirected to this article!
Thinking Skill: Perspective
Formal Definition: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Connection to "Gentrification: Part 2" :
I incorporated the thinking skill perspective through my analyzation of the various views on gentrification. I throughly analyzed the following perspectives: a community, a community leader, a gentrification victim and an architect-developer. Each perspective was different based on how or if these individuals have been negatively/positively impacted by gentrification, their connection to the issue, how educated they are on the issue and their overall background.
I incorporated the thinking skill perspective through my analyzation of the various views on gentrification. I throughly analyzed the following perspectives: a community, a community leader, a gentrification victim and an architect-developer. Each perspective was different based on how or if these individuals have been negatively/positively impacted by gentrification, their connection to the issue, how educated they are on the issue and their overall background.
APT: After Project Thoughts
As I reflect back on all of the research and information I have gathered over the past 6 weeks on gentrification, I am astonished as to why this issue has been occurring in our own backyards for a number of years, yet little has been done to resolve it. Many are not educated on this problem and a small number of solutions have been presented to fix the negative impacts of when gentrification fails in a city/town. Much of my research is centered around what gentrification is and where it happens, but not around what happens to the communities and the people who had once lived in these now gentrified areas. With the knowledge I have gathered over the past two projects, I have gained a new sense of citizenship and learned how important it is to be involved, uplift and advocate for your community. Regardless of age, race, religion etc., we all have some sort of responsibility in our communities and helping those who have lost their voices due to such issues as gentrification.
It all starts with you!
It all starts with you!
Annotated Bibliography: Project 2 | |
File Size: | 83 kb |
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