Winifred Curran develops a holistic argument on the increasing effects of gentrification within manufacturing districts such as Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In her pieces, “From the Frying Pan to the Oven’: Gentrification and the Experience of Industrial Displacement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and In Defense of Old Industrial Spaces: Manufacturing, Creativity and Innovation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Curran identifies the problem with gentrification and specifically residential speculation in terms of the ability for small manufacturers to remain in these areas. The deindustrialization that took place after the 1970s caused for “restructuring, and industrial displacement” that allowed the real estate market to impose itself on these neighborhoods (Curran 1483). She argues that these small manufacturers depend on the urban environment for their success because they are creative-based sectors that attempt to establish authenticity and flexibility within their work.
When collecting her data in order to understand the effects of gentrification on small manufacturers, Curran witnessed businesses that were either displaced to another part of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, or sometimes another state. She emphasized that this displacement had consequences due to an impact on the economy through a loss of jobs for the working class, the inability for company growth, downsizing for the businesses, and sometimes even foreclosures. Despite being small manufacturers, they still played an important role for other businesses and Curran explains this as clusters of several industries that join together. Through close social ties, the industries are easily able to “share or exchange ideas, techniques and personnel” (Curran 837) and gave them the ability to compete with larger corporations that only looked within for other industrial needs. On the other hand, she was also able to the adaptability and resiliency of the manufacturers that were able to stay by catering to the changing population and focused on the fashion, jewelry and ethnic food industries. Specifically, in Williamsburg, these changes have attracted other businesses and required the workforce of a densely immigrant population. Overall, Currans highlights the ability for manufacturing to coexist with residential and real estate ventures but the latter overtakes the former due to better profits and landlord’s abilities to rezone their buildings, inflate prices, and increase rents.
In Sunset Park, not too far from Williamsburg, we see a similar coexistence of the manufacturing and residential district but the power dynamic is switched. In WNYC’s article, Does This Avocado Toast Come With A Side of Gentrification? , Jessica Gould explains the involvement authentic businesses within a historic manufacturing complex, once known as the Bush Terminal and now as Industry City, and the residents of the neighborhood. This creative class of businesses which include the production of goods for the fashion and food industry. The modernization of this complex has come at the expense of the residents that live near Industry City who cannot afford the increasing rent. Industry City developed by the same partners who developed Chelsea Market which is likely to face a similar pattern in terms of renovations and rent increase. Despite Curran explaining that the manufacturing industry was being encroached by the residential sector, the opposite is true in Sunset Park. While Industry City is bringing in jobs to the neighborhood, which is something that Curran laments the loss of when manufacturers are displaced, these jobs only cater to local residents who can afford to remain there. Just like Williamsburg, Sunset Park is desirable for its waterfront location and easy accessibility to Manhattan through public transportation. One business, in particular, Avocaderia, was being targeted because of their avocado dense menu, a staple food for hipsters and gentrification. The only people who can afford 10$ avocado toast come from a certain level of affluence that does not describe the community in Sunset Park.
Sources
Curran, W. (2010). In defense of old industrial spaces: Manufacturing, creativity and innovation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 34(4), 871-885.
Curran, W. (2007). ‘From the Frying Pan to the Oven’: Gentrification and the Experience of Industrial Displacement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Urban Studies, 44(8), 1427-1440.
https://www.wnyc.org/story/does-avocado-toast-come-with-side-gentrification/
