Do comprehensive plans plan to prevent displacement? An analysis of four regions experiencing gentrification in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assesses whether jurisdictions’ comprehensive or general plans mention gentrification, given that gentrification impacts vulnerable communities’ long-term economic outlook, health, and quality of life. We focus on plans in four regions – Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Portland, Oregon. In our content analysis, only 23 of 308 jurisdictions that adopted plans between 1990 and 2020 mention gentrification, describe the problem of gentrification, and/or provide recommendations in their plans. The findings suggest that most planning blueprints do not acknowledge gentrification despite the equity impacts on vulnerable communities.