Phoenix— For decades, Phoenix, Arizona has been highlighted as the “poster child” of urban sprawl. Yet when the same city’s market crashed between the 2000s and 2010s, the City of Phoenix began to commit to moving in a different direction, resulting in rapid gentrification with both benefits and doubts. 

 

Stephanie Downie, an associate professor at Arizona State University, remembers when she first bought her home in the Garfield Historic District in 2006. At the time, the neighborhood was an affordable, middle-class neighborhood, lined with modest-sized houses a convenient two blocks away from ASU’s Downtown Campus. 

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In a short span of five years, Downie witnessed a drastic change in character and affordability that swept the atmosphere Downtown Phoenix once had. 

 

“The most obviously visible change is just how much new construction has happened in the last few years,” Downie said. “There are many high-rise buildings that have gone up with, what they're calling luxury apartments and condos.” 

 

Among several other Phoenix residents, Downie stands in a position where she can barely afford her current rent due to prices skyrocketing. Family members pitch in so she can successfully live in a convenient location just a brief walk away from campus. 

 

“I know people who grew up here who can't afford to live here,” she said.  

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                                               A photo composition comprising of architecture defining Phoenix both in the past and present.

Though Arizona's population is notoriously a hodgepodge of people coming from various backgrounds to live in the warmer climate, Arizonians that have been residing in the state for generations still exist. And they are slowly being forced out of neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades.

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Downie’s own personal experiences with gentrification have caused her to sympathize with ASU Downtown students that may struggle with rent due to the gentrification as well. 

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Lauren Brezel, a junior political science major at ASU, lived in Downtown Phoenix for three semesters before switching her major and moving to ASU’s Tempe campus. She stated that the accessibility of the Phoenix campus in terms of affordability and character is poor. 

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“It was difficult to get around and almost impossible to live here,” said Brezel. “I think Downtown Phoenix needs to do a better job of implementing institutions that would actually benefit its residents.” 

 

For instance, Brezel said transportation options are “hypothetically helpful” in theory, yet in practice fail to work as a system simply because “they do not suit the needs of the residents.” 

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                                For information on useful transportation practices, refer to the following infographic on 5 efficient alternatives to cars.

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Downie, though in favor of the public transit system that Phoenix has already implemented, has a few complaints in regard to practicality as well. 

 

She notes that transit stops in Phoenix tend to “lack adequate shade,” despite the city reaching over 100 degree temperatures in the summer. 

 

“The lower income the neighborhood is, the less likely it is that you're going to have a decent bus stop,” Downie said in response to her years of observing the socio-economic climate of downtown.  “People who are lower income are relying on public transportation, and they have to sit up there in 115 degrees. That's gross. It's inhumane.”

 

Aside from public transportation, walkability within Downtown Phoenix is an ongoing concern, though that issue is slowly fading away as the city grows. 

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                                         ASU Student Nate Engle admires the ongoing transformation of Downtown Phoenix. 

 

Alex Grauel, a sophomore at ASU’s Downtown campus feels that walkability is considerably decent presently, though similarly to Brezel, he wishes there was more accessibility to amenities. 

 

“Downtown has this very urban, tight feeling about it. It feels like everything’s connected,” Grauel said. “But I honestly wish we had more places to eat.” 

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                                                         For more information on Downtown's "urban feel", refer to the following YouTube video                                                                                                                                      that covers 5 ways to explore the urban landscape of Downtown Phoenix. 

 

As a result of gentrification, convenient, affordable food options for students and low-income residents are not readily available in Downtown Phoenix, according to Downie. 

 

“There are more places that are clearly catering to people who have expensive tastes,” Downie said.  “There’s not really a lot of options regarding that, unless if you [sic] want to go to Chick-Fil-A, which for several reasons some people don’t want to.” 

 

Downie and Grauel’s observations provide insight into the business industry that has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. 

 

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and The Arizona Republic indicate that neighborhoods have seen a substantial increase in management, business, science, and art occupations, contrasted by a decline in service jobs such as construction, maintenance, and several minimum-wage jobs. 

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                                            Locations such as the following on this Google Map depict a correlation between economic progress

                                           and the types of businesses that have recently opened or shut down in Phoenix. 

                                                

Though the growth of Downtown Phoenix causes economic progress due to the spike in business opportunities and employment, gentrification will always coincide with its downfalls including the booming property values and cost of living, according to Downie. 

 

“You have teachers, police officers, bartenders, servers, and custodial staff, and they can't work there. They can't live there. That's just a very, very common situation with gentrification,” said Downie. 

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