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Much of the debate nationally about the lack of affordable housing is accompanied by the word 鈥�gentrification.鈥� It certainly gets used a lot in Portland. The original meaning had to do with the gradual influx of more affluent people into lower-income but attractive neighborhoods, and the subsequent upgrading of homes and stores, which led to the displacement of existing community residents and businesses. This process had benign origins, but has often had very negative consequences for those displaced.

In the post-WWII era greater numbers of people had the money to afford a house, and most originally turned to the new suburbs. But increasingly through the last half of the 20th century more affluent people began to seek out close-in, less expensive urban neighborhoods, which had an ambience and walkable lifestyle that increasingly appealed to more people. This natural upgrading of the housing stock and services has been going on since the beginning of cities, but when the political and development interests got involved and used their powers to force poorer people out of their homes and rental apartments, things got ugly and the term has become toxic.

Planners have been pushing for people to embrace urban living and reject suburbia. The attractiveness of older neighborhoods has been a key planning mantra since at least the days of Jane Jacobs and her battles to preserve Greenwich Village from the wrecking ball. Ironically, Greenwich Village became the prime example of gentrification because of its preserved charm.

It’s important to distinguish between the continuing need to preserve and create attractive urban neighborhoods and the methods by which that is achieved. That process of continual revitalization must respect all residents, their homes and their livelihoods while creating a better city for all.