Abstract
This paper examines the strategies of residents in Greenpoint, NY to resist environmental gentrification. In particular, the Greenpoint case study offers lessons for how long-term residents can resist the confluence of two forces—gentrification and urban sustainability pressures--by building alliances with new residents (gentrifiers) and employing creative forms of environmental justice advocacy.
The paper begins with an explanation of environmental gentrification. Following this, it outlines the history of Greenpoint's environmental degradation and changing social fabric resulting from the pressures of gentrification. Three key strategies employed by veteran environmentalists will be explored. These strategies, together with specific characteristics of the Greenpoint story, ultimately resulted in the construction of a Nature Walk, a Brownfields Opportunity Area grant, and a Superfund designation at the site of a 50-year-old Exxon Mobil oil spill. The paper concludes with a critical examination of the successes of the collaboration and offers some lessons for other cities aiming to resist the effects of environmental gentrification.