Contesting Chinatown: Community Ownership in Urban Growth Politics

In 1978, city officials and community residents used narratives of neighborhood blight to justify making Los Angeles’ Chinatown a Community Redevelopment Agency project. While it is widely acknowledged that redevelopment and gentrification are primarily driven by government officials and real estate developers, community groups and residents are also active players in urban politics over neighborhood revitalization and redevelopment. Doctoral student in sociology Victoria Tran will examine how community groups in L.A.’s Chinatown engaged with government officials, residents, and small business owners on redevelopment projects from 1978-2000. She will analyze archival documents and conduct interviews for her study.