The Economic and Cultural Effects of Mass Media's Portrayal of Gentrification

Presenter: Maia Cani

Faculty Sponsor: Trinidad Morales

School: Worcester State University

Research Area: Sociology and Anthropology

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A10

ABSTRACT

Popular media often portrays gentrification as positive for cities and beneficial for residents, rebranding it as urban development or rejuvenation. However, gentrification frequently leads to resident displacement, cultural shifts in targeted neighborhoods, rising housing costs due to changing amenities, and economic growth that primarily benefits investors and new residents. Using open data from the City of Boston, Massachusetts, and Census Bureau demographic data, this research will analyze gentrification patterns while incorporating a unique qualitative component: local media reports that often convince residents that changes are in their best interests, while white-washing a myriad of negative outcomes. Preliminary project findings suggest that local media’s role in gentrification efforts should be included in statistical models predicting gentrification, as this may be overlooked or underestimated by previous research

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