A Systematic Method for Measuring Gentrification Using Building Permits Data: A Washington D.C Case Study

Gentrification can significantly alter the socioeconomic, demographic, and commercial aspects of a city. It is a complex process that transforms the characteristics of entire neighborhoods, modifying not only the observable physical aspects, but also the community structure. Traditional quantitative gentrification measurement approaches assess the process through analysis of Census demographic indicators coupled with field visit analysis of the physical built environment. This study proposes a new gentrification measuring approach that combines traditional Census indicators with a new indicator in the form of City Building Permits. Two GIS spatial analysis techniques are utilized to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach in assessing the distribution and intensity of fine scale spatial gentrification. The results of the spatial analyses are validated through an assessment of local media sources reporting on gentrification in the study area