Gentrification: The role of dialogue in community engagement and social cohesion
Arla G. Bernstein, Carol Isaac
Abstract
This study focuses on a community in south Atlanta, Georgia, comprising a case study in gentrification and community engagement that supports two related phenomena: (1) the process of community dialogue where individuals in a shared social world join together collaboratively to discuss social and economic problems; and (2) the building of social cohesion within a community that is based on common beliefs and values and is fostered through trust-building processes. By “opening communicative space” and fostering community engagement in socially relevant issues, community dialogue can build trust and social cohesion that benefit their community. The focus group and interview narratives in this study depict concerns about fairness, equity, and trust as key elements of community dialogue for addressing the challenges of gentrification. Implications for future research are included.