Gentrification and Climate Change: The Rise of Climate Gentrification in Miami
Why the Wealthy ‘Have an Upper Hand’
When a neighborhood gentrifies, residents’ average incomes and education levels, as well as rents, rise rapidly, said Carl Gershenson, director of the Princeton University Eviction Lab. Because of how those elements correlate, the outcome is generally that the white population increases and people of color are priced out, he said.
The Rise of Climate Gentrification in Miami
Miami is ground zero for climate change, and Overtown, a historically Black neighborhood, is experiencing the effects of climate gentrification. The neighborhood, once shunned by developers and wealthy homeowners, is now a hot spot for those fleeing rising seas and coastal flood risk, said Nicole Crooks, a community engagement manager at Catalyst Miami.
Effects of High Costs ‘Simply Heartbreaking’
Comprehensive real estate data broken down according to neighborhood boundaries is hard to come by. For example, residents of northwest Miami ZIP code 33127 have seen their average annual property tax bills jump 60% between 2019 and 2023, to $3,636, according to ATTOM, a company that tracks real estate data.
It’s ‘About Fiscal Opportunity’
Carl Juste, a photojournalist who has lived in Little Haiti since the early 1970s, said he doesn’t have a problem with development in the neighborhood, in and of itself. "I want [the neighborhood] to look good," he said. "But I don’t want it to look good for someone else."
Magic City Development Site in Little Haiti
The Magic City Innovation District, a 17-acre mixed-use development, is in the early stages of construction. The development is zoned for eight 25-story apartment buildings, six 20-story office towers, and a 420-room hotel, in addition to retail and public space, according to a webpage by Dragon Global, one of the Magic City investors.
Conclusion
Climate gentrification is the result of climate change, which is causing people to move away from flood-prone areas, leading to an increase in property values and rents, making it difficult for long-time residents to afford. The rich have an upper hand, as they have the financial means to relocate away from intensifying climate hazards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is climate gentrification?
A: Climate gentrification is the process by which climate change causes people to move away from flood-prone areas, leading to an increase in property values and rents, making it difficult for long-time residents to afford.
Q: Why is climate gentrification happening in Miami?
A: Miami is ground zero for climate change, and rising seas and more frequent flooding are making neighborhoods like Overtown, Little Haiti, and Liberty City more attractive to wealthy people.
Q: What are the effects of climate gentrification?
A: The effects of climate gentrification include the displacement of long-time residents, an increase in property values and rents, and the homogenization of neighborhoods.
Q: What can be done to mitigate the effects of climate gentrification?
A: Developers can work with local communities to ensure that new developments benefit long-time residents, and local governments can implement policies to protect affordable housing and preserve the cultural identity of neighborhoods.
