• Gentrification was a movement of the wealthier individuals who moved into the community and increased the land values. The gentrification of Harlem is a long-term process for the last decades and still an ongoing project. 
• Neil Smith’s theory described the de-industrialization of capitalist economies, the land’s product, and housing markets.

The theory of the rent gap has led Harlem into gentrification. Through the early 20th century, the community has experienced several conditions such as discrimination, widespread disease, wartime, and the great depression that has increased property abandonment. Which opened up an opportunity for the investors to used the available land supply for renovation. As the capital landlords and other private investors have earned the highest percentage of land throughout this condition, they began investing in the property, which made the existence of the rent gap.

 

The landowners targeted city/ Manhattan residents to move into Harlem since their income is higher than the original Harlemites. In other words, they have known the outside residents are capable of paying for the cost of the rents after renewal. As the landowners increase the ground’s value, it causes the early Harelmites force to move out and find an affordable place to live or even ended up being destitute.

Part II The global is the local: CATCH- 22 The gentrification of Harlem?

To read more about it- go to my research paper