Finding the Gentrification Frontier Using Census Data: The Case of Portland,Maine |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to identify of the gentrification frontier. The gentrification frontier represents a divide between gentrified and ungentrified areas of the city. Based on a case study of Portland, Maine, field research is combined with an analysis of census-derived variables to delineate the gentrification frontier in three time periods 1980-1990, 1990-2000, and 1980-2000. This paper suggests that the existence of an amenity, a revitalized urban waterfront can act as a catalyst for gentrification of the adjacent urban space, thereby creating a gentrification frontier associated with reinvestment in the waterfront. The results of the analysis show that because of low levels of gentrification before 1990 it is only possible to identify the gentrification frontier in the period from 1990-2000. As expected, the gentrification frontier is fragmented and discontinuous. It is located adjacent to an almost continuous area of gentrification that extends along Portland's waterfront. |
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| Keywords: | gentrification waterfront revitalization waterfront development port city |
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