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Superfund Me: A Study of Resistance to Gentrification in New York City

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  • Hamil Pearsall

Abstract

Municipal governments have incorporated brownfield redevelopment programmes into urban sustainability plans to encourage the redevelopment of these sites into productive uses. The combination of government support and developer initiatives indicates potential for the gentrification of brownfields. However, developer proposals to expedite the conversion of contaminated properties along the Gowanus Canal in New York City into residential and commercial venues resulted in the addition of the canal to the US National Priorities List (NPL) of uncontrolled hazardous sites, rendering the site less attractive to developers. It is argued that the listing process became an effective tool in the struggle to resist gentrification in the Gowanus Canal neighbourhood. Place stigmatisation slowed developer-driven redevelopment and the NPL designation allows for a comprehensive remediation approach and increases opportunities for community input. This study provides an interesting case study of resistance to developer-driven ‘smart-city’ planning that represents a meaningful departure from neoliberal urbanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamil Pearsall, 2013. "Superfund Me: A Study of Resistance to Gentrification in New York City," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(11), pages 2293-2310, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:50:y:2013:i:11:p:2293-2310
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098013478236
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