Gentrification

I went to a presentation last night about urban planning issues in Saint John. While there developer John Rocca warned of rapid gentrification of the southern peninsula. While his vision seems rapid, with most of the homes in the south end being redeveloped or improved by 2018, his advise seems prudent.

Rocca suggests citizens need to be engaged when such large scale changes occur. He said there will be more "anger and activists." Anger from those negatively impacted (such as home owners who have increased taxes and no plans to move) and activism from those who want to see positive growth.

One would hope that if we gentrify, we also come up with ways to help the poor, otherwise I'll be one of the angry.