In Toronto, there are two kinds of neighbourhoods: the gentrified, and those awaiting gentrification... HumeChristopher janeandfinch
On a sunny day 20 odd years ago, a crowd gathered in a small park in south Etobicoke to celebrate its reopening after a top-to-bottom overhaul. The mayor at the time, David Miller, was on hand to say a few words and everyone smiled and nodded approvingly as he sang its praises.
Turned out that the demonstrators lived in the aging low-rise apartment buildings nearby. They were adamant the newly improved amenity would lead to higher rents that would force them from their homes. Their argument was simple; the cleaned-up park presaged the arrival of middle-class families with deeper pockets, grander expectations and deep anti-poverty NIMBY tendencies.They didn’t use the word gentrification, but they left no doubt it was the enemy.
The unstoppable forces of gentrification have now reached the Jane-Finch neighbourhood. Though long considered one of the city’s most troubled areas, the arrival of the Finch West LRT line next year will change everything. History tells us their fears are justified. Already, owners of Jane Finch Mall and Yorkgate Mall — shopping centres at the intersection of Jane and Finch — are exploring redevelopment opportunities.
Baron Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris starting in 1853 is said to have displaced 350,000 people. The medieval city and its inhabitants were victims; but the result was one of the most admired cities on the planet. Gentrification has never been so disruptive, or so successful. If there’s a remedy, we have yet to find it. Perhaps the closest we’ve come is the 2005.
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