Is Gentrification A Problem in Harlem Today?
A Mathematical View
Mr. Encarnacion
Fredrick Douglass
Academy
Introduction
A dictionary definition of gentrification is:
“The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban
property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of
lower-income people.”
Using this definition, we can see that there could indeed
be a serious problem facing the Harlem
community. A quick look around the area shows construction taking place on almost
any block. While many of these improvements are good for the buildings and the
residents that live in them, many people have raised serious questions. What
will become of the people living in multiple-family houses if the building is
converted into a single family or two-family residence? Will the people who buy
and renovate these buildings come from other parts of the city? Where will long
time residents of Harlem live? Will the needs
and desires of the new residents change the business climate of the area and
how will this affect the community?
You have been asked, as a resident of the area, to serve on
a community panel that is to offer advice to the local Community Planning Board
for the Harlem area. The Board would like to know
if changes in laws or regulations are desirable. The feeling is that time is
important, because gentrification can change the nature of the community in a
very short period of time. The long range effects can be great and the number
of people that could be affected could number in the tens of thousands. Thus
your efforts will have an important impact on your community for a long time to
come!
Task
Your panel will review available data on the changes
taking place in Harlem today and how this
change may impact the community. Your group will gather data from many sources,
seeking to get the widest view of what’s going on as possible. As part of your
analysis you will seek understand the data and decide which information is most
useful in developing suggestions for a plan of action to address problems
involved in gentrification. It is most unlikely that the process could or
should be halted, but its impact can be more positive then negative with
foresight and planning. To do this, everyone involved needs the best data
possible.
Process:
Meeting in groups of five persons, you will gather
data from the Websites listed below. You will review the data provided by the
charts, tables and statistical data to describe the current conditions in Harlem as well as projections for future growth and
development. You will also review the articles listed below and attempt to
judge their accuracy and usefulness for the panel’s tasks of developing
effective recommendations for the Planning Board to consider.
Your group shall select people to fill each of the
following roles:
§
Group Leader-
Who will organize the group and coordinate the group’s effort. The leader also
assists all other members in completing their tasks
§
Recorder and Secretary- Writes the results of researchers in a format that
can be presented. The Recorder keeps all research materials for the
group’s use
§
Researchers-
These two will look at the websites and present the data for the groups as a
whole to analyze
§
Presenter- The Presenter will describe the group’s findings to the
class as a whole. The Presenter may also work with the whole group in
developing a format for the presentation, which may be a chart, poster,
PowerPoint, etc.
Your group will read the information
explaining each component of the PPA so that you will understand each part of
what you need to do.
Use the Public Policy Analyst to assist you in
researching for your presentation.
1.
Define the problem
2.
Gather evidence
3.
Identify causes
4.
Evaluate a policy
5.
Develop
solutions
6. Select the best
solution
Your group will decide on the best way to present your
findings. This can be in the form of a written report of at least four pages, a
PowerPoint presentation, a chart, or an effective oral presentation. All
presentation formats must be approved in advance.
As an additional assignment, your group is to develop
graphs and tables to illustrate all of the statistical facts you find in your
research. Be sure to present these when making your report to the class. This
can be as part of your report or and a separate item.
Resources
v The New Harlem Who's Behind the Real Estate Gold
Rush and Who's Fighting It
v
Gentrification
Squeezes Harlem Businesses
v
125th Street Plan
v
Amsterdam
News –article one
v
Amsterdam
News – article two
v
New
York Times- article One
EVALUATION:
This is rubric that will be used to
assess your completed work. Use it to make sure you have completed all the
steps and can receive the full amount of points.
|
|
|
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
PPA Policy
Worksheets
Steps 1-6
|
All questions were
answered completely and rationales for the answers were clearly stated.
|
All questions were
answered completely, but rationales for the all the answers were not
clearly stated.
|
Not all questions were
answered completely, or greater than 2 rationales for the all answers were
not clearly stated.
|
All questions were not
answered completely.
|
____
|
|
Power Point
Presentation
|
-
Clear and full presentation of material (10 slides)
-
Shows sophisticated control of elements of power point program
-
Demonstrates full control of language conventions
|
-
Clear presentation of material (10 slides)
-
Shows control of elements of power point program
-
Demonstrates control of language conventions with very few mistakes
|
-
Basic presentation of material (less than 4,5 slides)
-
Basic control of elements of power point program
-
Some errors in language conventions get in way of presentation
|
-
Insufficient and/or unclear presentation of material
- Little
control of power point program
-
Significant errors in language conventions which get in way of presentation
|
____
|
|
Process: Teamwork
|
It is evident that a
mutual effort and cohesive unit created the final product.
|
The team worked well
together, but could have utilized each other's skills to a better degree.
|
The team had problems
working together. Little collaboration occurred.
|
The final product is not
the result of a collaborative effort. The group showed no evidence of
collaboration.
|
____
|
|
Process: Originality
|
The ideas expressed by the body of work
demonstrate a high degree of originality.
|
The ideas expressed by the body of work are mostly
original. The group may have improved upon a previous idea.
|
The ideas expressed by the body of work
demonstrate a low degree of originality.
|
There were no original ideas expressed in this
project.
|
______
|
|
Mini-Report
|
-Illustrates strong
evidence and causes of a social problem that is clear, creative and in
depth.
-Demonstrates
high level of professional appearance
|
-Illustrates supportive
evidence and causes of a social problem that is clear, creative.
Demonstrates
aspects of professional appearance
|
-Illustrates some
evidence and causes of a social problem that is clear,
-Little
demonstration of professional appearance
|
-Little or no or unclear
evidence and causes of a social problem
-Unprofessional
presentation
|
_____
|
Oral Report
|
Based on PowerPoint
presentation the research is clear and well articulated.
|
The PowerPoint
presentation is clear but the research could be more thorough.
|
The PowerPoint
presentation is not clear and needs more research.
|
The
PowerPoint presentation is not clear and has no research.
|
_____
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total---->
|
_____
|
|
Conclusion:
You
should have learned from this web quest that gentrification can be seen as a
major social problem in Harlem. You have seen
the gravity of the problem for all concerned. You also have learned the role of
the Public Policy Analyst. This person examines social problems and finds
solutions that improve the lives of all in the community. Let’s hope your
investigation will make a difference.
Thanks for your participation. It is
much appreciated! 
STANDARDS:
SOCIAL STUDIES
STANDARDS:
5: Civics, Citizenship, and ECONOMICS
Math and Science Standards
Gotham Gazette