I don’t know how to put this lightly… but you and I are gentrifiers. And what's worse, our reactionary stances on many things exacerbate the problems that we create. Let me explain…
In general, we’ve had above-average fortune in our educational/professional pursuits, allowing us to make lifestyle choices that spur revitalization in downtrodden neighborhoods. Not a bad thing, right? Our collective investments have helped our cities fund things like urban amenities or affordable housing. We’re at the forefront of something beautiful.
So why, then, do we so quickly say “No”? Let’s not forget that what makes our historic downtowns so valuable is the 300+ years of work by generations of good people who welcomed growth and created communities. But NIMBY attitudes among today's gentrifiers--whether thru opposition to housing, new bike lanes, Airbnb, or the sharing economy--slow this momentum, and prove contradictory, since it means people who've moved in from elsewhere are blocking the further inward movement of people and innovation.
In short, my plea is this: next time you consider an urban issue, however small, please remember why you chose to live in a city. I’m guessing it was to be open and progressive--meaning that Yes should be your favorite word.
Juan Esteban Cano is a commercial real estate finance and development professional in San Antonio, Texas. His focus is on the creation of meaningful places that leave a lasting social and economic impact on the community -- doing well by doing good.