ABSTRACT
Although the prospects for the future for low-income people in neighborhoods could prove insecure, given the broader socioeconomic dynamics of our times, none of the skepticism around gentrification should suggest that Harlem is not deserving of redevelopment. Nor is it to suggest Harlem is undeserving of cleanliness, safety, new jobs, or anything of the sort. The issue of urban development brings with it a constant dilemma—the quest to improve conditions in communities, yet certain improvements can bring dire consequences for some residents. To say “what’s good for Harlem is good for its residents” does not quite tell the whole story. Harlem, as a place, was once a wealthier neighborhood, which became accessible. It deteriorated, but now it is undergoing significant revitalization.
