Using survival analysis to explore gentrification in Charlotte, NC

Keywords: Using survival analysis to explore gentrification in Charlotte, NC
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 62

Abstract

The fastest growing US cities continue to be in southern states. Despite a growing number of scholars emphasizing the importance of understanding gentrification outside of traditional urban areas, its presence and modalities in mid-sized cities remains underexplored. This holds particularly true in the U.S. South where a group of rapidly emerging mid-size sunbelt cities share concerns over urban core revitalization, rising housing costs, investing in public infrastructure, and shifting demographics. In this context, southern cities are an ideal region to investigate neighborhood development trends within a gentrification framework. As we conceive gentrification as an event, a survival analysis is adopted as the statistical analytical tool. Our research tests the relationship between gentrification and changes in housing renovation, urban amenities, proximity to light rail development, and other factors impacting Charlotte, NC – a rapidly growing southern city. Key findings from the survival analysis identify that neighborhood parks and greenways increase the likelihood of gentrification. Results also highlight a strong spatial effect, demonstrating that neighborhood effects do influence spatial patterns of gentrification. Unexpectedly, light rail variables do not increase the likelihood of gentrification. Additional variables that increase the likelihood of gentrification include older homes, homes around historical areas, proximity to quality education, proximity to highways, and proximity to commercial areas. By providing a methodological framework for the empirical analysis of the impact of urban amenities on gentrification, this paper enhances our understanding of gentrification dynamics in rapidly emerging southern cities.