Rick Lowe with fellow founders of Houston-based Project Row Houses. Photo courtesy of projectrowhouses.org
The debate over what some say is the gentrification of two Saskatoon neighbourhoods will be the topic of discussion at an event Friday night.
The event is hosted by the University of Saskatchewan, along with several community partners and will look at rapidly growing neighborhoods Riversdale and Pleasant Hill.
Some people say these neighbourhoods are experiencing the negative effects of gentrification.
Both areas exhibit signs of poverty, along with economic development, with Riversdale the host of new coffee shops, boutiques, specialty stores and condos among neighbourhood staples like the Salvation Army shelter or the Friendship Inn.
In Saskatoon for Friday’s discussion is internationally acclaimed artist and community organizer Rick Lowe. He explains why gentrification can have a negative impact on a neighbourhood.
“Gentrification is when people come in and have no regards for the existing neighbourhood,” said Lowe. “So hopefully these conversations will give people a little comfort and guidance on how they can participate in the development of a neighbourhood rather than gentrifying it.”
Lowe is also the founder of Project Row Houses, an award-winning arts-based community revitalization project in Texas. He says discussions like ones that are happening tonight are important in determining development or gentrification.
“Then people moving into these neighbourhoods can start to understand better how they can actually support the kind of diverse neighbourhoods we would like to think our society supports,” said Lowe.
Local artists, affordable housing advocates and neighbourhood residents will be joining in on the conversation.
The event will take place at the Friendship Inn at 6:00 pm.