Being one of the most gentrified cities in the nation, the community of East Liberty have been negatively affected due to the change that has occurred for decades. As a result of these changes, the culture and history has been stripped away from those who have grown up, created businesses, and raised families in the area. Through in service learning and experience, I was able to experience the concepts we have discussed in class in real life, and see the way they have truly impacted the community.

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"Gentrification"

Gentrification is prevalent in the city of Pittsburgh. Gentrification refers to more affluent newcomers being drawn into areas because of redevelopment (Deto). As a result of these changes, lower income businesses and residences are pushed into outer areas of the city because they can no longer afford to reside there (Deto). Gentrification has both positive and negative effects, however those who have lived in the community for a long time are primarily affected negatively. As newcomers move into the area, they fail to integrate themselves into the history and culture the community has built over years. Instead, they try to change the area in order to fit their styles and desires. This leads to the culture the area was once filled with becoming nonexistent.

This image depicts gentrification in this community through its display of the commercial redevelopment. This image was taken as we entered drove from Shady-side to East Liberty. The target in this photo is one of many new stores that have been built within Shady-side and are stretching into East Liberty. The plaza known as Bakery Square contains stores and businesses such as Anthropologie, West Elm, Google, Trader Joes amongst several others. The outside frame of this photo consists of a strip of stores such as the dollar tree, and local businesses that have closed and are located directly across the street from the target in the photograph. I chose to take this photo as it shows the reality of gentrification in low income neighborhoods. Residential and commercial redevelopment is occurring in this area and the displacement occurring as a result can be visibly seen as its occurring just feet away from the new establishments.

"Displacement"

Displacement within this community has occurred as a result of gentrification (Haynes). Commercial and residential redevelopment has led to the displacement of low-income citizens (Deto). As more affluent businesses and residential areas move into the area, the cost of living and owning businesses is increased greatly, causing those who do not have the economic resources necessary to be pushed out of the area. There are few places to go when

This photo demonstrates displacement as the local store photographed in East Liberty has been closed down. Outside of the frame of this photo, the area is filled with new privatized and chain corporations that have been built in this community. This is a visible example of displacement in this area as the locally owned historical businesses in the community have been pushed out as more companies can be moved in. Majority of the stores and residential areas are not affordable for those who live in the area, leading their businesses to close because of raised rent and lack of revenue coming in. As local businesses and residents have been pushed out of the area, the history and culture has been lost as newcomers change the area rather than integrate themselves into what has been created over decades.

"Space"

The concept of space plays a key role in terms of race, segregation and poverty within communities. Segregated space is the creation that maintains social closure through spatial isolation (Haynes). Public, private and urban spaces have been created to maintain isolation amongst social and racial groups (Haynes). Though public spaces are shared amongst racial and social groups, there is a large divide in terms of space amongst urban and private sectors. Private entities and concepts such as schools, economic resources, and institutional power are still heavily segregated amongst race and class (Haynes).

I chose this photo because of the concept that is displayed on the wall of the elementary school we visited. The photo portrays members of the community coming together with the quote “Community Service, Teamwork Brings About Success.” In these communities, displacement has lead to poor citizens being pushed into urban spaces (Haynes). Despite the spatial segregation many of the friends and families of the children at this low-income school have experienced, this message being portrayed in a school teaches the lesson of working together as a community to be successful. This is an important change that needs to occur in these areas and begins with our youth coming together and breaking the cycle of racial and social space.