Boyle Heights is a historically redlined, working class, and majority Latinx neighborhood. This project is an examination into how its issues of gentrification, homelessness, and heat intersect.
Boyle Heights residents have protested gentrification stemming from wealthier Latinx newcomers and art galleries, which they view as active threats to their ability to remain in their neighborhood. As rent prices increase and homeless shelters throughout L.A. remain under-resourced, the issue of homelessness is present in Boyle Heights as prominently as in any L.A. neighborhood. The lack of shade and hostile architecture throughout the community worsens this issue and poses a stark danger to unhoused populations, which are especially vulnerable to heat illness.
We end with an exploration into considerations that should be taken in solving these issues. For example, how can green spaces and shade structures be implemented in ways that do not end up gentrifying the neighborhood space and displacing current residents? Questions like this are crucial to serving communities, and the answers should be found from community members themselves.
This project was completed by Sierra Stevenson, Sue Bin Park, and Cherry Huang.