|
|
|
Dave Zahniser did a great job showing us the panoply of how gentrification is changing Los Angeles. But, he misses the root cause, and that’s understandable, because most discussions about gentrification focus on the effects we see in big cities—the loss of middle- and working-class housing stock, the fights over rent control and the municipal hand-wringing (while secretly gloating over the growing sales tax revenues). And, this is all well documented—remember the recent spate of newspaper articles about the loss of middle-class neighborhoods in cities across America (L.A. was the worst). We can call it the “San Franciscanization of Los Angeles!”
But the root cause lies in national social and economic policy and generational trends that began reversing a 150-year trend in the late 1970’s—the shrinking of the middle-class in the US and growing economic polarization of the country. There are plenty of reasons—globalization, disinvestment in the public school system, the transition to a high technology information economy from a more labor intensive manufacturing one, de-regulation, the growing irrelevancy of unions, changing tax codes (which basically lowered taxes on the rich from decades long historic levels), the culture of greed that our generation is responsible for (and should fess up to---why can’t we be more like our parents, who understood the virtue of community and sacrifice?).
All this stuff, and more, is the cause. The loss of affordable housing and shopping in Los Angeles is a mere symptom, and I don’t mean to belittle the impact of this dislocation on those it afflicts, but it’s going to take a helluva lot more than a moratorium on condo conversions to effect sustainable, significant, substantive and long term solutions. The place to look is not City Hall, the people to blame are not developers. We should be looking about 2500 miles east and doing what it takes to bring new leadership to Washington. And perhaps we should be blaming ourselves—we have the government and the culture of greed that we created.
BTW, my personal gentrification story is this: I have lived in a Silverlake [sic] condo complex for 20 years. As you can imagine, there are lots of new owners that have come and gone and come again. A couple of years ago, as we got into my car, my companion looked around the garage at all the Beemers, Benzes and Land Rovers, and said to me, “do you realize that you have the oldest, cheapest car in this garage?”
Larry Kaplan
Effective business articles that will improve your business.
Understanding the difference between accidents and incidents is essential for effective risk assessments. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but in the context of workplace safety, they have distinct meanings … Read More
Managing construction projects effectively requires not only skilled labor and quality materials but also the right equipment for the job. For contractors, balancing the need for specialized heavy machinery with … Read More
Choosing the right hosting company and plan is crucial to ensuring your website’s performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. With so many hosting options available, it can be overwhelming to know which … Read More
The health and wellness markets are part of a rapidly expanding segment of the global business economy. People are taking a proactive approach to improving their general quality of life, … Read More
Job interviews can be nerve wracking, yet exciting experiences. This is your opportunity to take the next step of your career, but at the same time, you probably have a … Read More
Investing in real estate doesn’t always mean amassing a portfolio of traditional properties like single-family rentals. For some, becoming a landlord may not be their dream. Nevertheless, would-be investors want … Read More
In the modern world where your online footprint matters most, enhancing your business website’s SEO is not just beneficial; it’s essential. With millions of searches conducted every day, your online … Read More
While credit cards are undeniably convenient for everyday purchases, using them to fund your bank account can be a financially precarious move. The high fees and potential credit score implications … Read More
All-on-4 denture implants have revolutionized dental restoration, offering a transformative solution for individuals with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures. This innovative approach provides a stable and permanent solution by securing … Read More
Nobody likes seeing those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror? Getting a speeding ticket can be frustrating and costly, but don’t lose hope we have some helpful … Read More
