Best Wishes,

Caylin Portuondo

Tan, Rebecca, et al. “In Miami's Gentrifying Neighborhoods, Surfside Condo Collapse Deepens Fears of Displacement.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 July 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/17/climate-gentrification-miami-condo-collapse/. 

Gunder, Valencia. “Climate Gentrification Threatens to Displace Longtime Residents.” The Miami Times, 3 Feb. 2021, https://www.miamitimesonline.com/opinion/climate-gentrification-threatens-to-displace-longtime-residents/article_801d6aa2-65ad-11eb-856d-87e8babea8c2.html. 

      I.         Definition/ Introduction 

a.     Background: The process of a poor urban area changed by the wealthier people moving in or constructing new buildings and potential businesses. The idea is the provide better housing and attract better business.  

b.     Thesis Statement: Business owners begin to reconstruct the area giving renters and home owners no other option but to leave or pay more. These conditions are not only unfair, but not manageable to live decently.  The city of Miami seems to be more worried about the money businesses are making off tourism. They don’t seem to worry about living coast of low pay wages to keep their family afloat. 

    II.         Context/ History 

a.     First Point Gentrification classification: Miami neighborhoods that are being pushed out for public entertainment. Gentrification is found all over the United States. The city of Miami seems to be more worried about the money businesses are making off tourism. 

                                               i.     Gentrification research was determined by household income, value of home, and education level. Residents used to be able to afford to live in areas like Wynwood Art District and Buena Vista. They are now being pushed out because of Miami due to skyrocketing costs.

                                             ii.     Accouring to the article written by Yadira Lopez “Miami metro among most ‘intensely gentrified’ in U.S., study” says Regions most effected by gentrification are found in Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. These areas are the 4 highest intensity of gentrification in the US since 2013. 

b.     Second Point Miami Residents and Location: Though everyone thinks that gentrification is just weeding out the bad areas, is it for better or for the worse?   

                                               i.     Gentrification is leading citizens to had areas 

                                             ii.     Gentrification can lead to homelessness, leaving families in the streets.

  III.         Causes and Consequences 

a.     Point 1: Affordability for Miami Residents 

                                               i.     Residents used to be able to afford to live in areas like Wynwood Art District and Buena Vista. They are now being pushed out because of Miami due to skyrocketing costs 

                                             ii.     Research show household income, value of home, and education level.

b.     Point 2: In the 1990s segregation left the community with a shortage of housing and schools.

                                               i.     Drugs rampaged through the neighborhoods as residents looked for a safe place to live.

                                             ii.     After surfside collapsed Gentrification has been at its worst. 

 IV.         Possible Solutions/ Community Service -Agencies 

                                               i.     Summary/Synthesis: Gentrification is an issue caused by wealthy business owners that are not aware of the damage as they grow the money in their pocket. 

                                             ii.     Important topic: Affordable living areas being pushed out of their homes to create nightlife for Miamians and tourist. Leaving residents without homes and food on their tables. 

                                           iii.     Closing Statement- South Florida being the 4^th highest intensity rate of gentrification. Miami’s rising sea level and negative effects to climate change allow developmentary companies to eye neighborhoods due to its higher elevation. Climate change is beginning to threaten homes leaving neighborhoods vulnerable

Miami Florida is very much known for its entertainment, and tourism. Tourism in South Florida includes beaches, nightlife, and restaurants. Slowly business industries have been pushing out low-income homes to build tourist attractions. Rated at number four since 2013 in South Florida that affected by gentrification are found in Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. (Lopez. Yardira)  Miami Residents who were once able to afford to live in Downtown Ural areas are no longer allowed to build their life in the city. Gentrification research was determined by household income, the value of a home, and education level. Residents were accustomed to living in areas like Wynwood Art District and Buena Vista. They are now being displaced because of Miami due to skyrocketing costs in everyday essentials.  

Prices are soaring for essentials like housing and food. 9 to 5 jobs are not paying enough, and residents are counting pennies to make ends meet by putting food on the table to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. With that families are also being pushed out of their neighborhoods just to have over expensive restaurants, nightlife, and extremely expensive “Studio” Apartments downtown. They begin to reconstruct the area giving renters and homeowners no other option but to leave or pay more. These conditions are not only unfair but not manageable to live decently. Gentrification is causing citizens to bad and unsafe areas.  In the 1990’s segregation left the community with a shortage of housing and schools. Drugs rampaged through the neighborhoods as residents looked for a safe place to live. After surfside collapsed Gentrification has been at its worst. Drugs rampaged through the neighborhoods as residents looked for a safe place to live. A reference they gave was the Oscar-winning movie Moonlight.(Tan, Rebecca)  Gentrification began to creep into what is called the “urban” neighborhoods.  Miami’s rising sea level and negative effects of climate change allow developmentary companies to eye neighborhoods due to its higher elevation. The collapse of the Champlin Towers in Surfside has left residents shaken and nowhere to live. The tragic collapse left many with concerns, was it the poor maintenance, or rising sea level and flooding in the area. (Tan, Rebecca)  

Author Valencia Gunder writes about her personal experience living in Little Haiti and witnessing gentrification and climate crisis firsthand. Climate change is beginning to threaten homes leaving neighborhoods vulnerable. Rather than wealthy areas having more resources available to them. (Gunder, Valencia) Gunder states that black and brown residents are being pushed towards undesirable neighborhoods due to the increase living cost and unreasonable pay rates. Gentrification is an issue caused by wealthy business owners that are not aware of the damage as they surge the money in their pocket. Affordable living areas are being pushed out of their homes to create nightlife for Miamians and tourists. Leaving residents without homes and food on their tables. South Florida is the 4th highest intensity rate of gentrification, as stated previously. Miami’s rising sea level due to effects of climate change allow developmentary companies to eye neighborhoods due to its higher elevation. Climate change is beginning to threaten homes leaving neighborhoods vulnerable.