Climate Change Gentrification

‘Classic’ gentrification can be described as a process of change in a previously disinvested neighborhood. The character of a lowincome urban area is affected by an influx of new and higher-income residents, which in turn impacts housing prices, and attracts new businesses / economic opportunities. The displacement of current residents and community members is frequently observed as the cost of living increases due to the gentrifying neighborhood. ‘Classic’ gentrification is often fueled by factors such as family structure, rapid job growth, lack of housing, traffic congestion and public sector policies.

Climate gentrification, on the other hand, is propelled by changing consumer preferences based on changing climactic conditions (such as rising sea levels/flooding, wildfires, hurricanes etc.). The concept of climate gentrification was brought into the spotlight by Jesse Kennan, a Harvard researcher who analyzed the changing real estate values of single-family homes in Miami-Dade County based on physical elevation. Kennan hypothesized that gentrification in higherelevation communities will continue to advance as consumers try to avoid the risks of flooding.

Figure 1 below indicates the various pathways to climate gentrification. In conclusion, ‘classic’ gentrification is propelled by supply, whereas climate gentrification is driven by demand.

Sea Level Rise

2030 : 10” / 0.8’ 2060 : 26” / 2.1’ 2100 : 61” / 5’

People + Capital ($$$)

3.3% increase in 1 year (2019 -2020) 7.0% forecasted increase (2021)

Real estate developments & investment Higher income households Increased cost of living

Climate-Driven Migration

Increased Real Estate Prices

Climate Change Gentrification

Displacement Pathways to Climate Gentrification