Discussion 1: Gentrification

3. According to Stein, what is the root cause of the eviction of 83-85 Bowery tenants as well as the construction of the mega-towers at LES waterfront? Hint: you should think about the role of rezoning.

Discussion 2: In the Gotham and Greenberg reading, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina were both linked to various experiences of post-disaster constructions, which had direct impacts on the local communities. There are several linkages between this week's readings and previous weeks' readings.

1. Disaster is a crisis moment for capital. This means that real estate speculators captured the moment of disasters and capitalized on it. However, this speculation could not have been possible without the state. The federal and local governments were both involved in New Orleans and New York to transform local spaces after the disasters. These spaces were later rebranded tourism hotspots. However, as you had seen, organizations like BID were linked with tourism. What we have here is a series of organizations linked up with each other in an opening created by disasters. Public health is then linked with tourism and post-disaster reconstruction.

2. Reconstruction after disasters intensifies inequalities. In the Peter Kwong, MCY Louie and Jan Lin readings, we learn that Chinatown and "uptowns" were formed in an uneven relationship. This relationship is characterized by the exploitation of working people and the displacement of local communities; various immigration policies intensify exploitation. Post-disaster reconstruction does not mean the disappearance of an vibrant exploitative economy; however, it helped to drive up rents and make living in certain neighborhoods more expansive; any gains in wage increase now became rents. The promotion of tourism and luxurious developments in Chinatown had a similar effects.

In your reading, how do you think about these connections between disasters, post-disasters reconstruction and the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their communities (particularly in NYC)?

The weekly discussion questions are formulated in ways to help students to think critically on certain topics. Students are required to answer the discussion questions in 100-200 words.