Yeri Bryant

Dr. Weiss

ENG101S

14 Oct, 2024

Inquiry Essay

All my life my mother made it a point for me to understand the rich

culture in Washington DC. Being from there, it was hard to escape. As I got

older and we left the city, I’d always find myself back in DC visiting family,

going to concerts, and eating good food. I had gone down to Southeast of the

district to visit my cousins and as we were leaving Ward 8, there were random

pockets of renovation. Driving around he told me about the city endlessly

changing but conveniently Ward 8 staying almost the exact same with high

crime & lots of homeless folks looking right across the river banked with 5

star restaurants and luxury homes. Leaving me wondering if the nation's

capital should be a pinnacle of a ‘steady and stable’ America, what excluded

Ward 8? I began to look at how urbanization itself in DC has progressed as

urban growth alters year to year, but continuously is leaving a sect of

communities in a constant state of limbo. Looking at the complexities of

urbanization in DC and its effects on the multiplicity of neighborhoods in DC.

Asking truly, how do aspects of urbanization in DC contribute to disparities

among marginalized communities?

Urbanization as a collective is often considered a beneficial move for

society. As urban growth promotes innovation in the city itself and

contributes to the nation as a whole. Urban growth finds itself taking a

multiplicity of forms like population spikes, increasing income rates and

jobs, and re-urbanization of cities themselves and their suburbs. Distinctively

due to the nature of DC as the capital of the United States, the majority of

people are attracted to its historic attractions yet continuous modernization

and proximity to the ‘roots’ of politica in America.

Within the 3rd quarter of 2023 the real gross domestic product for DC

was $179.2 billion in goods and services (USAFacts, 2023). In comparison to

neighboring states such as Pennsylvania with a real GDP of $974.9B and

Maryland of $518.7B (USAFacts, 2023). The district's top three industries have

a real GDP of $55.5 billion in government and government enterprises,

$39.06B in professional, scientific, and technical services, and $16.29B in real

estate, rental, and leasing (USAFacts, 2023). In DC alone considering physical

and canonically societal implementations of being an extreme powerhouse

falls short. Additionally DC clearly has a profound sense of importance and

priority of profitability. As the majority of its revenue is reliant on the idea of

DC and its reputation.

Through progressive concentrations and focus on physical

urbanization and development there is a correlation between urban growth,

higher population & rapid development, and higher income (Masek, Lindsay,

& Goward, 2000). In turn placing the majority of DCs ‘wealth’ in areas like

NW and NE, as they’re more condensed in population & seen the most

population growth. Directly linking to the further development of said areas

as they become more attractive not only aesthetically through development,

but to the standards of those who are commonly in a higher wealth bracket.

Posing the question, what does that mean for the other sectors of DC such as

SW and SE.

The quadrants of DC similarly to most cities can be distinguished by

the economic status of the residents. Notably, DCs unemployment rate sits at

5% in 2023 (USAFacts, 2023), Wards 7 & 8 have the highest unemployment rate

amongst the all wards in DC (Erickson, Esser, & Turner 2021). Along with

having the highest unemployment rate Wards 7 & 8 are predominantly Black.

Mapping and statistical evaluations showcase areas where majority Black

and Brown were in lower income/poverty, higher crime rates, and general

lack of resources (Erickson, Esser, & Turner 2021). Due to this growth DC has

expanded its budget, like many other cities. Such as funding toward human

services and healthcare/medicaid (Hyra, & Prince, 2016) but still sees spikes

in crime, poor health and overall deaths. Conflicting with history, as DC was

affectionately coined “Chocolate City” for many decades, remarking on the

large African American population in Dc as a whole. Famously areas such as

U-Street/Shaw or “Black Broadway” were largely areas that culturally

defined the DC black population. Recently the Black (non-hispanic)

population in DC had decreased from 302,621 in 2010 to 291,794 in 2022

(USAFacts, 2023). In contrast, the White population saw a spike from 211,985

in 2010 to 252,150 in 2022, being an increase of 40,165 persons (USAFacts,

2023). However, it is highlighted in research of spatial dynamics, the shift in

demographics of wards can be attributed to gentrification.

Gentrification has vast direct and indirect effects on all forms of

cities. Across conversation there is a general question if gentrification is

universally beneficial or detrimental and if so, for whom. For the past 20

years gentrification has accelerated and plays onto factors outside of the

plain urban renovation such as health & resources (Holt et al, 2021).

Gentrification in DC mainly has hit sectors of NW and NE, as gentry residents

moved into neighborhoods joining civic associations—the neighborhood was

then slowly being geared towards said residents (Bowleg et al, 2021).

Consequently, often commercial “luxuries” such as laundromats would be

replaced in interest of new residents like restaurants and cafes. Àlong with

the general higher income of gentry residents, the revenue from renovated

homes and new spaces of cafes or restaurants, bring the value of the area up.

Hindering the ability of many previous, often Black, Washingtonians to

maintain their housing situations and livelihood. Principally gentrification

does not only induce displacement directly through economic pressure but

indirect displacement through political, social, and/or cultural neighborhood

changes (Holt et al, 2021). Displacement gears forcing Wasingtonians opting

into underdeveloped areas such as SE/SW or Wards 7 & 8, PG county or even

homelessness.

Washington DC over time has seen a spike in crime rates. Again,

realistically crime in DC may be more common just due to the constant

amount of tourists and almost popularity on a more national level. Politics

and social movements also are more likely to be moved to DC in terms of

protest or ‘rebellion’, due to it being a hub of American government and

heavily being connected to that set portrayal.

Nationwide in 2020 it recorded the largest single-year increase in the

homicide rate (USAFacts, 2023). Washington DC on a state comparison level

had a higher homicide rate of 23.7 homicide deaths per 100,000 people, being

8th place compared to major metropolitan counties (USAFacts, 2023). Outside

of homicide DC has the highest violent crime rate in the US often nicknamed

“crime capital”, and saw a spike from 2020 to 2021 on a general basis. It's

important to recall DC is smaller in its size compared to areas like Baltimore

city, Philly, and Orleans Parish (LA). Making crimes far more frequent in a

concentrated area, whether it be the District as a whole or a sect. Notably

though most crime is common in Wards 7 & 8. DC’s budget has seen some

input in public safety such as the Metropolitan Police Department, the FIre

and Emergency Medical Services Department, and the Department of

Corrections. However it has progressed relatively slowly and even decreased

(Hyra, & Prince, 2016). From more than 15% from 2002-2004 to 12.4 in 2012 and

12.1 in 2013 (Hyra, & Prince, 2016).

Although this spike has occurred generally for the district some

residents recognize a decrease of crime. In terms of gentrification, residents

have remarked that gentrification reduced crime rates, increased safety, and

created “less conflict” (Holt et al, 2021). Overall stating they feel community
structures although shift, attitudes and general cultural ideas altered the

space, ideas of ‘street codes’ to be more stand-offish or coping strategies for

harsh environments weren’t as common (Holt et al, 2021). Making spaces, due

to other cultural ideas and normalities like greetings or their idea of ‘street

codes’, more friendly. However, this remark is in correlation with Wards 1-6

and has no mention of the sects Wards 7 & 8 and the beginning of

gentrification there nor its impacts.

Collectively scholars recognize marginalized communities are impacted

through urbanizations. On the basis of resources, health, crime, income and

so on, cohesively calling on Gentrification and poor management of the city

as a main contributor. As well as how the shift ultimately has altered the

function of the District socially and economically. Across the board in the US

socio-economic classes have been ‘set’ for a long period of time. As a

collective there is an understanding and mention of the benefits

gentrification can bring. For the community in terms of general development,

income, and resources. Nonetheless there is no mention of the birth of

gentrification and why it is occurring or how it is set that said areas are

majority people of color. Nor do many scholars prose solutions or remedies

for the effects of gentrification on a long term basis.

(I cut out my citations but they’re there :3)