Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
10-2025
School/College
Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (SOPA)
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Administration of Justice
Committee Chairperson
Dr. Glenn Johnson
Committee Member 1
Dr. Robert Bullard
Committee Member 2
Dr. Bumseok Chun
Committee Member 3
Dr. Antoinette Christophe
Committee Member 4
Dr. Jasmine Drake
Keywords
Gentrification, Displacement, Housing Equity, Environmental Justice, Green Gentrification, Third Ward Houston, Urban Transformation, Affordable Housing, Socioeconomic Inequality, Community-Led Development, Tenant Protections, Policy Recommendations, Racial Equity, Urban Planning, Sustainability
Abstract
Gentrification has significantly transformed urban landscapes across the United States, often leading to displacement and socioeconomic upheaval among marginalized communities. This dissertation examines the impact of gentrification, environmental changes, and housing on African Americans in Houston’s Third Ward, a historically Black neighborhood undergoing rapid socio-spatial transformation. This research seeks to understand the multifaceted consequences of gentrification on long-term residents, explore its implications for housing equity, and evaluate policies designed to mitigate its adverse effects. The study employs qualitative research design, incorporating in-depth interviews, historical analysis, and policy examination to capture the lived experiences of Third Ward residents who have witnessed the neighborhood's transition. Drawing from Clay’s (1979) four-stage model of gentrification, the research contextualizes the phases of urban transformation, from early investment to complete demographic and economic restructuring. Furthermore, the study integrates environmental justice (EJ) perspectives to analyze how green gentrification exacerbates displacement by increasing property values and reshaping neighborhood compositions. This research is framed by five key objectives: (1) examining the fate of displaced low-income residents, (2) analyzing how climate gentrification exacerbates housing inequity and widens the wealth gap, (3) identifying the advantages and disadvantages of gentrification in the Third Ward, (4) evaluating city policies aimed at mitigating displacement, and (5) proposing policy recommendations for sustainable urban development that preserves affordability and community identity. The findings highlight that gentrification leads to involuntary displacement through escalating property values, rent increases, and altered neighborhood identities. Additionally, the study reveals that the expansion of upscale businesses and eco-friendly infrastructure, while beneficial for environmental sustainability, disproportionately excludes lower-income residents due to rising costs. The research further identifies gaps in existing urban policies, underscoring the need for more inclusive housing policies, rent control measures, and community land trusts to safeguard vulnerable populations. Policy implications from this study suggest that equitable urban planning must integrate mechanisms that balance economic growth with social sustainability. Recommendations include the implementation of affordable housing incentives, enhanced tenant protections, and increased investment in community-led development initiatives. By shedding light on the intersection of race, housing, and urban development, this dissertation contributes to the broader discourse on equitable city planning and the pursuit of social justice in rapidly evolving metropolitan areas.
Copyright
Copyright © for this work is retained by the author. Any documents and information presented are protected by copyright under US Copyright laws and are the property of the author. All Rights Reserved. For permission to use this content please contact the author or the Graduate School at Texas Southern University ([email protected]).
Recommended Citation
Valentine, Yvonne, "The Impact on African Americans Due to Gentrification, Environmental Changes, and Housing in Third Ward, Houston" (2025). Dissertations (2016-Present). 114.
https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/dissertations/114