Gentrification is the hot topic in this week's comments update, after the creators behind New York's High Line launched a website advising on how to create similar projects without pushing out local communities.
High price: readers are debating whether adaptive reuse projects such as the High Line in Manhattan negatively or positively impact cities, after its creators set up The High Line Network to advise against creating inequality.
Some commenters felt the situation was inevitable. "Manhattan is breathing gentrification," wrote Karol. "It fuels the city."
"It is almost impossible to avoid, when a project like this is inserted in a 'low income' urban context," said Ji. "These kinds of places skyrocket the land prices and raise investment, which is good for the city." "Gentrification is bad" How, exactly"" Duckusucker chimed in. "It increases property values; homeowners can sell for much more than they invested. If they're poor or low-income, they get a windfall and can move to better homes or have a nice nest egg."
"Most low-income folks are not property owners, but rather renters," replied Bobby. "Thus rents rise and they have to move because they're priced out... no windfall for them, just displacement."
One reader remarked that the High Line was specifically precisely because the community around it were engaged throughout its planning:

Is gentrification a force for good&qu...