Public Discussion: Gentrification or Revitalization?
Gentrification or Revitalization?
Join us for a public talk on the transformation of our communities.
With:
Kim Jackson
Title: Gentrification in the Junction: erasure, displacements and the marketization of space past and present
Summary: Local organizations often deploy historical narratives to sell their neighbourhood to potential home buyers and business owners in an effort to reinforce gentrification processes. Taking the Junction as a case study, this research looks at historical continuities between colonization, as primitive accumulation, and gentrification as ongoing primitive accumulation strategies to continue the marketization of space. The increased marketization of both space and sociality rifts the community into those who participate and are therefore valorized, and those who do not and are therefore excluded, made vulnerable and considered expendable.
Bio: Kim Jackson is a Phd student in Environmental Studies at York University. She has lived and worked in community based social arts practice in the Junction for over 5 years. Her academic research looks at the ethical tensions that result from the daily life reproduction of capitalist relations in shared space of the neighborhood.
And
Brendon Goodmurphy
Title: The Politics of Aesthetics in Toronto: Opportunities for Radical Urban Planning
Summary: In an effort to ‘revitalize’ a neighbourhood by changing its aesthetics – that is, its look or feel – are communities contributing to its gentrification? In this research, I seek to understand how aesthetic strategies are mobilized at the neighbourhood level, and the role that they play in contested notions of community and conflicts over urban space. This research seeks to clarify the politics of aesthetics in community development, and the opportunities and challenges that aesthetics offer planners, artists and community organizers to bring about radical social change, based on the right to the city.
Bio: Brendon graduated from the Master's program in Urban Planning and Community Development at the University of Toronto in 2011. His research interests include uneven development and poverty, social housing, food security and social movement building. Currently, Brendon is working as a support worker for adults with disabilities. He is also volunteering with the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) on a food security project.
Thursday February 23, from 7-8:30pm
at Alternative Grounds, 333 Roncesvalles Ave.
Event co-sponsored by Painting Our Stories and Community Arts Practice at York University.
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