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Introduction
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Urban growth is an ongoing process that every major metropolitan area experiences whether its new developments on empty space or changes to existing neighborhoods. Gentrification is a major theme that deals with the transformation of these neighborhoods and mainly benefits the middle-class. Most developers that gentrify areas aim at capital gain and believe that their projects improve areas. They pay no attention to what negative impacts gentrification may cause. The “revitalization” or changes that have been happening in Seattle’s Central District have impacted its residents in numerous ways. Our focus for this project looks at changes in urban neighborhoods that affect its residents, particularly on the Seattle Central District’s youth population. The Central District The map below shows the area of the Central District. Its proximity to Downtown Seattle makes it very vulnerable to development.  Historically, the Central District has been predominantly an African American neighborhood. This may have been the cause of early housing discrimination. The Central District has also been known to be one of the higher crime areas of Seattle and with similar characteristics to this area; it has caused it to deteriorate creating lower land values and a lower class population. In recent years the Central District has undergone many changes. New economic developments have created many pockets of gentrification in the area. One example would be the new Starbucks located on 23rd and Jackson (pictured below). The presence of a large corporation like Starbucks gives this area a new look as other corporations are influenced. Across the street lies a new mixed-use building with a new Washington Mutual Branch on the bottom floor and condominiums above.  So how are these changes affecting the youth of Seattle’s Central District? A case study under the “Youth” link of this site will present a first hand experience dealing with high school students from the ages of 15 to 17. |