Commentary: Causes and Consequences of Gentrification and the Future of Equitable Development Policy

Derek Hyra
American University

In American cities, gentrification—that is, an influx of upper-income people to low-income areas— became much more pervasive in the 2000s compared with the 1990s (Freeman and Cai, 2015; Maciag, 2015; Owens, 2012). This article critiques and adds to this timely Cityscape symposium on the causes, consequences, and needed policy responses associated with the contemporary community change wave sweeping across much of urban America. I argue that gentrification’s causes and consequences are complex and multilayered. I conclude with a few remaining research puzzles and policy proscriptions to facilitate equitable gentrification, ensuring low- and moderate-income people receive maximum benefit from the revitalization of their neighborhoods.