I thought that in the Holly Street Neighborhood, the contrast between new and expensive housing and older houses, in which people who probably have a relatively moderate income live in, was very flagrant. The gentrification was very obvious. Concerning Marlo Heights, as there is an active intention to impede the effects of gentrification so it is not a neighborhood known for gentrification.
Finally, Mueller Development is a clear example of massive gentrification at its final point. A neighborhood that was previously inhabited by modest families has been renewed into a place were high-income housings have been built next to one another, completely transforming not only the dynamic but also the population in the neighbourhood.
Concerning South Africa, we can see that in Johannesburg, the characteristics of gentrification are very similar to what we have seen. For instance, shifts of inhabitants often involves shifts in the ethnicity of the population, and gentrification has an important impact on crime rates.
However, I have the impression that in the Johannesburg Central Business District the type of changes were different than what we have seen for the US. It was a very developed area in the beginning, and has known a "white flight" afterwards, becoming an area where crime became more important and wealthier people fled.
Also, the redevelopment has been aimed towards affordable housing and people of various income. Therefore, it has less negative impact than on the US neighborhoods we talked about. It brings with it job opportunities and economic growth, but is a less radical shift from low-income families to a very wealthy population. It is much less violent, and part of some kind of cycle.
For Holly Street Neighborhood, I think it is important for university students to try and sensitise people on the subject of gentrification. For this, we could create petitions to be signed, and maybe also a video that could be shared on social media.
Students can also go out in the neighborhood and directly talk to the school, the inhabitants as well as to the administration in order to find solutions.
A program of help for people suffering from the causes of gentrification could be initiated, helping them with their current situations and giving them financial support.
