Dalia Garcia- Gentrification in Koreatown

 

Gentrification in Koreatown: Behind Curtains

(Photo Credit: Koreatown Neighborhood Guide)

Koreatown is a beautiful and diverse neighborhood that forms part of the neighborhoods in Central, East and Northeast Los Angeles, such as Boyle Heights, Chinatown, El Sereno and many other neighborhoods around the City of Los Angeles. Just off west of downtown and south of Hollywood lies Koreatown-- my neighborhood.  At first glance, one can quickly appreciate a part of the Korean culture and a peaceful and safe neighborhood even at night. Although it may be small neighborhood, according to the article Top 10 things to do in LA's Koreatown" by Carrie Bell, "it offers a mighty collection of entertainment to keep tourists and locals alike entertained from dawn to dusk to dawn again... Enjoy acclaimed restaurants, quirky dessert purveyors, hipster-approved bars and coffee shops, lively karaoke rooms and so much more in the neighborhood... K-Town can be reached by multiple subway lines and is easily one of the most walkable communities in Southern California." Over the years K-town has become a very desirable place for many people to move in, but at what cost? and who are these people? 

The objective of this blog is to create awareness on the impact that gentrification is having on the community and individual basis. My personal experience and information presented is focused on the neighborhood area of Koreatown in the city of Los Angeles. This blog will also share the voices of the community members impacted by the gentrification of their neighborhood. 

As a resident of this neighborhood that has lived here for many years, I have recently become aware of the gentrification that is happening. It first came evident with the sudden increase in rent and homelessness, however, with all the entertainment that is advertised to bring tourist and locals to businesses it has come to overshadow reality. In this neighborhood there are real people living and gentrification is something that is happening and affecting many of its residents. According to Los Angeles, the neighborhood has a median annual household income of $30,558, which is low for the city of Los Angeles. It is also among one of the most diverse neighborhoods of a new multiculturalism between the Korean and Latino population. This blend of cultures has led Koreatown to become a trilingual neighborhood in which wherever you go, one will hear a mix Korean, Spanish, and English. Although the name "Koreatown" suggests this is a neighborhood of predominant Korean ethnicity, the Korean population consists of only a 32.2% whereas most of the residents are Latinos with a striking percentage of 53.5. It is also a neighborhood with a high rate of immigrants as well as a high rate of people with less than a high school degree. Most of these people come from low-income households and gentrification has led to a displacement of them being at risk of losing their homes due to the increase in rent.

Defining Gentrification 

Construction of a residential development in Koreatown |
(Photo Credit: Maya Sugarman/89.3KPCC)

By definition, gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood by repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses in places consider deteriorating areas (such as an urban neighborhood) through the influx of middle-class or more affluent residents and businesses that often results in the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents. (Merriam-Webster, 2019)

Based on the Urban Displacement Project by UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Portland State University, identify indicators for a “Disadvantaged neighborhood” by the census criteria to be eligible or susceptible to gentrification are delegated between socioeconomic factors and compared to the regional median. These factors are based on the percentage of low-income households, college educated, renters and nonwhite.

A “Gentrified neighborhood” is considered gentrified once it has met the criteria that documents the change in the previous socioeconomic factors. These changes include a rise in the percentage of college educated, non-Hispanics, and a change in median household income and median gross rent. This project has indicated that Los Angeles County has seen an increase by 16% in the number of gentrified neighborhoods between 1990-2015, it's possible that number has increased now in 2019.

                                                        How is gentrification a problem?

Empty lot next to a liquor store on South Catalina Street
in Koreatown | (Photo Credit: Maya Sugarman/89.3KPCC)

The problem of gentrification occurs when the wealthier people arrive to live in an existing urban district. This suggest the displacement of poor communities by rich outsiders which result in higher property values, higher rent, and changes in the original or existing culture of the area.

With the increase of the economic value of a neightborhood it forces out low-income residents due to an increased cost of rent and cost of goods. Gentrification can also lead to negative impacts such as forced displacement, population migration, homelessness, loss of historical or local business, fostering of discriminatory behavior by people in power, and a focus on spaces that exclude low-income individuals and people of color.  

What is Koreatown facing?

According to 89.3KPCC (Member-supported news for Souther California), the representative of Koreatown council president Herb Wesson said, "...the area is particularly suited for a development boom because its already known for being one of the L.A.'s most urban areas."


Many Koreatown residents worry that all the new development will push towards gentrification. Many locals have formed a group called "Protect Koreatown" in order to pressure the developer Mike Hakim to provide affordable housing. Alexandra Suh, who is the head of the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance also worries about the residents getting priced out. In Koreatown 90% of its residents are renters, which the majority are low-wage workers from Latin American employed by restaurants, caterers, and trucking companies and garments markets. (Josie Huang, 2016)

 Effects on the community

Edith Miguel

"I think gentrification it’s a global problem that needs to be put to an end. Many low-income families are being affected because of it. Rent increases immensely causing families to move out into another place or sadly become homeless. Mom and pops shops are also affected by gentrification causing their business to shut down completely and that is not okay. I have been living in Korea town throughout my life and I personally come from a low-income family and can say that I have been affected by gentrification. Rent has increased more than 4%, I see less and less mom and pop shops as the years progress. Gentrification is a problem and we need to find a better solution."

Socorro Lopez

" I have lived here for many years and the rent only increases every year. My family and I live in a small bachelor apartment that doesn't have other rooms or its own kitchen. We used to pay around $600 and just a month ago our rent increased to $1,100. If this continues and we don't find a cheaper apartment I will have no choice, but to move my family back to our homeland because we can no longer save money." 

Emily Sandoval

“I used to  live in Boyle Heights but I was not aware of what gentrification was until now. I did notice an increase in our rent, a lot of construction and a park was also removed. Now we have recently moved to Highland Park because the rent just kept increasing .”

Conclusion

Gentrification is a complicated topic and a change that can be either view good by some, and bad by others. I believe gentrification can bring advantages to the communities, as long its ensured that all segments of society benefits from the action and not just those who can afford the increase in land prices and rent. Unfortunately, at this rate the disadvantages seem to be out-weighting the advantages and that's a problem.


References:

• Bell, Carrie. “What to Do in LA's Koreatown.” TripSavvy, TripSavvy, 26 June 2019, https://www.tripsavvy.com/top-things-to-do-in-koreatown-in-los-angeles-4584489.

• “Koreatown.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times,    http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/koreatown/.

• “Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification.

• Zuk, M., & Chapple. “Urban Displacement Southern California Map.” Urban Displacement  Southern California Map | Urban Displacement Project, 2015, https://www.urbandisplacement.org/map/socal.

• Plunkett, Barry, et al. "Impacts of Gentrification: A Policy Primer." Edited by Nile Nwogu, Wharton Public Policy Initiative, Wharton University of Pennsylvania, 21 Nov. 2016, https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1581-impacts-of-gentrifcication-a-policy-primer/for-students/blog/news.php.

• Varneka, Vrinda. "History, Causes, and Effects of Gentrification." OpinionFront, OpinionFront, 5 Mar. 2018, https://opinionfront.com/history-causes-effects-of-gentrification. 

• Huang, Josie. "LA's Koreatown Is about to Get More Crowded." Southern California Public Radio, 89.3KPCC, 23 Apr. 2016, https://www.scpr.org/news/2016/04/11/59364/in-koreatown-density-grows/.