Trust for Public Land today released groundbreaking new research that synthesizes key risk factors associated with green gentrification. The report, titled “Great Parks Should Not Uproot Communities,” sheds light on the complex relationship between green space development and displacement of longtime residents and businesses, and offers actionable strategies to mitigate displacement effects, tailored to the type of agency leading the implementation of such strategies.
“This report shows that park practitioners can do a lot to protect against uprooting communities,” said Dr. Howard Frumkin, senior vice president at Trust for Public Land and former dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health. “And this means they can stay focused on partnering with local communities to create and improve parks that will deliver the physical and mental health benefits, as well as climate benefits, that we know are possible.”
The research, conducted by Alessandro Rigolon, an Associate Professor in the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah, on behalf of Trust for Public Land, examines how various characteristics of green space projects—such as their size, design, and location—can influence the risk of gentrification and displacement in neighboring communities. The report also provides a detailed summary of strategies to prevent such displacement, categorized by the type of agency or organization responsible for implementing these measures. The report will be a valuable resource for urban planners, policymakers, placemaking funders, and community advocates working to balance the benefits of green space development with the need to protect and support existing communities.
“Green spaces are essential for enhancing urban environments and improving quality of life,” said Rigolon, lead author of the paper. “However, without careful planning and targeted strategies, these projects can contribute to gentrification and displacement, which disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities. Our research aims to provide a clearer understanding of these risks and offer practical solutions to ensure that green space development benefits all residents.”
There is a significant park equity gap in the United States. One in three U.S. residents— over 100 million people—don’t have a park or green space within a 10-minute walk of home. When we include people whose nearby park is unusable, inaccessible, or unwelcoming, this number is exponentially higher. TPL is working to create parks where they’re needed most and is focused on building the parks of the future that model the best health, climate, and community benefits. This research will support TPL’s work to continue to build parks that allow for resilient and equitable communities.
The full report is available for download at www.tpl.org/great-parks-should-not-uproot-communities.