Is Green Gentrification Displacing Communities in the Name of Sustainability?

In this episode of The Urbanist’s Lens, hosts Drew and Clark dive into the complex world of green gentrification—when well-intentioned environmental initiatives unintentionally displace long-standing communities. Using the controversy surrounding Manhattan’s Elizabeth Street Garden as a focal point, they explore the tensions between preserving cherished green spaces and addressing urgent needs for affordable housing. Drew and Clark unpack how eco-friendly urban projects, designed to enhance city living, can sometimes lead to rising property values, cultural erosion, and the displacement of vulnerable residents. They also examine global case studies, highlighting how cities are grappling with the challenge of balancing sustainability with social equity. From policy pitfalls to community-led solutions, this episode sheds light on the pressing question: Can we create greener cities without pushing people out?

The Urbanist’s Lens is written and produced by Andro Madrogaba.

REFERENCES

Anguelovski, I., Connolly, J. J. T., Cole, H., García-Lamarca, M., & Triguero-Mas, M. (2022). Green gentrification in European and North American cities. Nature Communications, 13, Article 3771. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31572-1

Cole, H. V. S., Triguero-Mas, M., Connolly, J. J. T., & Anguelovski, I. (2019). Determining the health benefits of green space: Does gentrification matter? Health & Place, 57, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.02.001

Gould, K. A., & Lewis, T. L. (2017). Green gentrification: Urban sustainability and the struggle for environmental justice. Routledge.

Rigolon, A., & Németh, J. (2018). "We're not in the business of housing": Environmental gentrification and the nonprofitization of green infrastructure projects. Cities, 81, 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.03.016

Rigolon, A., & Németh, J. (2020). Green gentrification or 'just green enough': Do park location, size and function affect whether a place gentrifies or not? Urban Studies, 57(2), 402–420. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098019849380

Wolch, J. R., Byrne, J., & Newell, J. P. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities 'just green enough'. Landscape and Urban Planning, 125, 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.01.017