ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief summary of the key issues and defining characteristics associated with each of the six neighborhoods, followed by a summary of the interview responses. From February to June, 2006, tape-recorded interviews were conducted of 85 residents in the six neighborhoods identified as being "highly diverse" on multiple dimensions. These six areas – the incorporated towns of Berwyn and Blue Island, and the community areas of Bridgeport, Irving Park, Portage Park and West Ridge located in the City of Chicago – were the selected locations for the resident interviews. Residents were also aware that diverse neighborhoods could become the victims of their own success – that people moving to a place because of its diversity would ironically end up making the area less diverse. Some respondents identified rental housing as the key to sustaining diversity. Housing cost was identified as a key barrier to sustaining diversity.
