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‘Weak‐Center’ Gentrification and the Contradictions of Containment: Deconcentrating Poverty in Downtown Los Angeles

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  • ELLEN REESE
  • GEOFFREY DEVERTEUIL
  • LEANNE THACH

Abstract

This case study of recent efforts to deconcentrate poverty within the Skid Row area of Los Angeles examines processes of ‘weak‐center’ gentrification as it applies to a ‘service dependent ghetto,’ thus filling two key gaps in prior scholarship. We document the collaboration between the government, business and development interests, and certain non‐profit agencies in this process and identify two key mechanisms of poverty deconcentration: housing/service displacement and the criminalization of low income residents. Following Harvey, we argue that these efforts are driven by pressures to find a ‘spatial fix’ for capital accumulation through Downtown redevelopment. This process has been hotly contested, however, illustrating the strength of counter‐pressures to gentrification/poverty deconcentration within ‘weak‐center’ urban areas. Résumé Cette étude de cas porte sur les efforts entrepris récemment pour déconcentrer la pauvreté dans le quartier de Skid Row à Los Angeles. Elle examine les processus de gentrification d'un ‘centre faible’ lorsqu'ils s'appliquent à un ‘ghetto de populations dépendantes de services’, et comble ainsi deux grandes lacunes des recherches antérieures. Elle montre comment les intérêts du gouvernement, des entreprises et de l'urbanisme se joignent à certains organismes non lucratifs impliqués dans le processus. De plus, elle identifie deux mécanismes clés de la déconcentration de la pauvreté: le déplacement des logements et/ou services, et la criminalisation des habitants à faible revenu. Dans le sillage de Harvey, l'étude préconise que les efforts entrepris sont suscités par des pressions visant à trouver une ‘solution spatiale’à l'accumulation de capital en réaménageant le centre‐ville. Toutefois, cette démarche a été vivement contestée, illustrant ainsi la vigueur de la résistance à l'encontre de la gentrification et de la déconcentration de la pauvreté dans le cadre d'un modèle urbain à‘centre faible’.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen Reese & Geoffrey Deverteuil & Leanne Thach, 2010. "‘Weak‐Center’ Gentrification and the Contradictions of Containment: Deconcentrating Poverty in Downtown Los Angeles," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(2), pages 310-327, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:34:y:2010:i:2:p:310-327
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2010.00900.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jason Hackworth, 2003. "Public Housing and the Rescaling of Regulation in the USA," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 35(3), pages 531-549, March.
    2. Tom Slater, 2006. "The Eviction of Critical Perspectives from Gentrification Research," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 737-757, December.
    3. Kathe Newman & Elvin K. Wyly, 2006. "The Right to Stay Put, Revisited: Gentrification and Resistance to Displacement in New York City," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 43(1), pages 23-57, January.
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