Presentation Transcript

1. Do Now: Coffee and Crime What types of crimes decreased because of coffee shops? What types of crimes increased because of coffee shops? Why do you think we saw this difference?
2. The next 2 weeks!!! We will finish up the packet and gentrification on Monday, May 20 Your final will be on Wednesday May 22 It will cover: Alderman/Making Change unit Violence in Chicago – Review the radio program and your notes on what we heard Gentrification

3. The Gentrification of Pilsen

   Commodification and Identity
4. Division of Ideas Expansion of UIC Campus in 2004 Alderman Solis Agreed to the expansion if: Provided 700 jobs $70 million in subcontracts to Latino Businesses Senators Garcia and del Valle Disagree with the expansion b/c: Does not equally benefit Pilsen residents. Loss of control over communities future Disagreements weaken community resolve against gentrification, put the neighborhood at risk
5. Private Market and Selling Culture Building Codes and Gentrification Building code violations are a key indicator of gentrification Used by residents to push out “undesirable” neighbors Used by the real estate industry to acquire properties at a low cost As of 2004 this indicator has not appeared to increase in Pilsen May be occurring slowly in the eastern portions of Pilsen.
6. Private Market and Selling Culture Cultural Representation and “Selling” a neighborhood. The artists of Pilsen John Podmajersky and the artist colony of Eastern Pilsen Started in the 1960’s as a low cost location for artists to live and do their work Less connected to the Pilsen community at large Opened the door for gentrification to come in
7. Turn and Talk There is a view expressed in the reading that the risk of gentrification of Pilsen is increased is because of the “Artist’s colony” in East Pilsen Both the Hispanic and the Artist communities started/established about the same time (1950-1960) Does the Hispanic community have more of a claim to Pilsen? Why or Why Not.
8. Private Market and Selling Culture Eastern Pilsen – “the entry point of gentrification” Has seen marked increases in median income and owner-occupied housing since 1990-2000 Developers have capitalized on the combination of “ethnic heritage” and “artistic charm” Mexican Heritage as a selling point “Considered by many to be Chicago’s largest Mexican community, this neighborhood [boasts] at offering us the only truly authentic burrito in town!” North ClybournGroup website, 2003)
9. Private Market and Selling Culture Outside groups have focused on capitalizing on the culture of Pilsen to attract middle and upper class residents. This pressure has been fairly continuous since 1970 Community organization is a major reason it has not been successful
10. Importance of Community Chicano Movement – early form of opposition against gentrification Inspired the community murals around Pilsen
11. Importance of Community Pilsen Community Planning Council (PCPC) Organized in response to Chicago 21 Plan Allowed Pilsen to be one of the few communities that raised enough money to have input on community development Not completely successful but showed that challenging big business was possible
12. Importance of Community The Pilsen Alliance (est 1997) Organized to prevent the process of new construction Concord Homes Project A plan to develop middle income/upper income housing in Pilsen Create 132 new condos Starting price $280,000 Set aside 10% “affordable housing” In 2003 PA successfully stopped the new construction
13. Importance of Community Alejandra Ibenez, President of the PA “We realize this is not the end-all be-all answer, and it is not going to solve the problem of gentrification. But for us, this is an organizing tool and a first step in getting people involved.”
14. Exit Ticket - Discussion Write your ideas first Is the success of Pilsen able to be replicated in other neighborhoods? Why or why not? Is there a way to avoid “Selling” ones culture in order to preserve your community? Why or Why not?