Gentrification Tags Used in Events

Hello everyone! Welcome to Austin Avengers, a podcast where we will talk about the real issues reshaping our city and the people at the center of it. My name is Noah, and today we’re diving into a conversation that’s long overdue: gentrification in South and East Austin, and how we can actually fight back and slow it down with policy. If you’ve lived in Austin for a while, you’ve seen the change: once-affordable, vibrant neighborhoods are now dotted with luxury highrises and high-end brunch spots. I know I have, I’ve lived in South Austin my entire life. South and East Austin neighborhoods once known for their diversity, creativity, and cultural richness are now barely recognizable. And the people who built that culture? They're being pushed out. Displaced with nowhere to go. - In this introduction, I use my personal experience, inclusive language, and an urgent tone to build credibility and emotionally connect with listeners, setting the stage for a critical conversation about gentrification’s impact on my community.

We need to be brutally honest about what’s happening. Gentrification isn’t just about new coffee shops and cool apartments, it’s about displacement. Families, small businesses, and communities that gave Austin its soul, its entire character, are being pushed out by rising rent and unchecked development. And if we don’t act fast, we’ll lose the very thing that made Austin so special in the first place. - In this part, I use direct, urgent language and strong emotional appeals to emphasize the seriousness of gentrification, challenging listeners to recognize its real consequences and take action before it’s too late.

So here’s what I’m proposing: three clear policies that could help Austin grow without losing its heart. First, we need mandatory affordable housing requirements for new developments. That means every time a developer builds, a portion of those units must be reserved for low- and middle-income residents. Second, we need rent control especially in historically significant neighborhoods that are most at risk in order to protect the culture that they have built over time. And third, we need financial protections for long-standing small businesses, many of which are being priced out of the very communities they helped shape.These aren't radical ideas, they’re common sense. And other cities have done it. The question is: will Austin step up? - In this section, I use a confident and solution-focused tone, supported by clear, practical proposals and rhetorical questions, to persuade the audience that meaningful policy change is both possible and urgently needed in Austin.

This is where my journalist guest from The Daily Texan can weigh in, maybe sharing insight from the UT report or recent coverage on Austin’s affordability crisis. “Joining me now is Diego Hernandez, longtime South Austin resident and journalist from The Daily Texan who has some very useful insights on this topic. Diego, what do you think about the harsh gentrification of East and South Austin, and do you have any opinions on it?” - In this part, I introduce a credible guest speaker to add depth and outside perspective, using their journalistic authority and personal ties to the community to strengthen the conversation’s legitimacy and broaden its appeal.

This is the exact situation residents in Austin are facing too. Once again, Austin’s own studies show the same thing: historically Black and Latino neighborhoods, especially in what’s called the “eastern crescent”, are losing their cultural identity at a rapid pace. Additionally, city-funded reports have already warned that without bold policy action, these communities will all disappear altogether, putting Austin’s cultural identity at risk. - In this part, I connect national research to local realities, reinforcing my argument with place-specific evidence and a warning tone to stress the urgency of protecting Austin’s cultural and racial heritage before it’s lost entirely.

And also, let’s not forget about small businesses. They’re more than just storefronts, they’re community anchors. Whether it's a family restaurant, vintage shop, or local music venue, these places are what make Austin Austin. With the right support, grants, tax breaks, public-private partnerships, we can help them survive the tough times gentrification has brought about. - In this part, I appeal to shared values and local pride by emphasizing the cultural importance of small businesses, while offering realistic policy solutions to show that preserving Austin’s unique identity is both necessary and achievable.

Explain gentrification to pao and asked her for any personal encounters.

Explaining how that incident affected our community becasue of the lack of things to already do in the valley. Intro to solution and research to support.

How college students can benefit from CLT's and both students and community can come together.

Paos response to my solution and how students can get involved with their community.

Still talking about the CLT's and benefits

A third of neighborhoods are at risk to displacement. A crazy statistic that revelas the disparity of this issue, and hopefully the reader can view this in shock.

The statistic discussing the median household price in Austin increasing allows the reader to understand that this is an on going issue. Displacement number 1 reason of happening is due to high housing prices.

Only 20% of Americans trust their government, a shocking statistic that shows the how many citizens cannot even rely on the government.

"This is gentrification in real time, and it’s displacing people every single day. But we have a secret weapon called SMART housing.". This explains the exigence of the podcast as it shows the issue of displacement and the solution of SMART housing being used to combat it.

"SMART stands for Safe, Mixed-Income, Accessible, Reasonably-Priced, and Transit-Oriented housing. It’s housing built for those who are lower income as a way to provide lower housing prices, decrease homelessness, and promote diversity and population growth.". This portion of text explains what SMART housing is, and what it stands for, as well as introducing the main stakeholders and audience for this podcast.

"Rents go up. Property taxes skyrocket. Local businesses get wiped out and replaced with luxury apartments or chain stores. And just like that, the neighborhood changes, and with that, it loses the culture and what made it special.". This helps us to focus on the communities being affected as well as using ethos while talking about the loss of culture coming with gentrification.

Describes personal history with Lockhart and establishes emotional connection; starts introducing the idea that changes are happening.

Describes subtle signs of gentrification.

Discusses influx of new residents from Austin and economic pressure leading to cultural displacement.

Talks about rising taxes, generational families struggling to hold onto land, and the emotional impact of selling farms.

It is personal. Because when your hometown doesn't feel like home anymore, what can you do? But here is the truth - gentrification doesn't have to mean displacement. Other cities have come up with better ways to deal with this. There are ways. So, let's discuss a few of these that could work in Sugar Land. First, inclusionary zoning. This is when developers are required to provide a percentage of new housing as affordable. So yes, build that new apartment complex *but make part of it affordable to people already living in this area.* The second solution is community land trusts. These, nonprofit organizations buy land and then keep the land forever for affordable housing. This way, the land truly stays in the community and housing prices don't go way up.

Because at the end of the day, we’re talking about people being pushed out of the communities they love. Their schools. Their churches. Their memories. Their stories. That’s not just “progress”—that’s loss.

Hello, my name is Sunny Bell, and welcome to another episode of Keepin' Austin Austin. For those of you new to the podcast, this is a place where people who love Austin's unique qualities think about ideas to keep Austin special, even while it is growing like a weed. --- Ethos is used here to establish both the speaker's and the podcast's credibility. This episode is part of an ongoing series, not just a single occasion. The specialization of the podcast on growth issues. contributes ethos to this episode

As you all know, Austin's population is exploding. We're up 30% in the last 10 years, and we've doubled in the last 20. We're always talking on the podcast about where to put all these people. Today, we're going to talk about one particularly difficult group of newcomers, the wealthy ones. ---- This passage uses logos by quoting concrete numbers. It also uses pathos in making the listener imagine the crowding and perhaps having an emotional reaction to wealthy newcomers.

Many of these folks aren't coming here for the Austin vibe, but are here because a company moved their headquarters here. Many don't have any commitment to Keepin' Austin Austin. They show up here with their East Coast, West Coast money and coastal expectations for housing. --- Pathos is at work here identifying the needs of this group of people as a problem and putting them in a negative light.

They want high-end luxury, and they think it will be cheaper than where they came from. Bad news for them. It was cheaper here, but as we all know, it's not cheap anymore. --- This passage continues the pathos of negativity towards the newcomers. There is also an element of logos with comparisons of housing costs.

There's not enough new housing in upscale areas, and that has caused prices to go sky high. They can't afford the best, and there isn't enough of it anyway. This is too bad for them, but unfortunately, their solution is to move into our traditional neighborhoods, many of them low-income, and try to bring them up to their standards. ---- Logos is demonstrated in this passage, setting the causation for the problem presented.

This is a phenomenon identified by Lori Goodman in her research for the Urban Institute. This, my friends, is called gentrification. This process replaces low-income housing with remodeled, expensive luxury. ---- Ethos is utilized here by reference to scholarly articles. There is some logos as well with the definition of gentrification.

The corner barbershop becomes a little lemon, and the community institutions weather under a flood of half-caffeinated lattes. And worst, the existing residents get squeezed out of their own neighborhood. If we want to keep Austin Austin, we've got to find a way to stop this gentrification. --- Pathos is at work here trying to create the emotion of indignation at the unfairness of gentrification.

Let's welcome our newcomers, but put them where they are happiest, among their peers. Don't get me wrong, if someone new wants to live in a traditional neighborhood and loves it for how it is now, that's great, but let's keep out those who just want to destroy and rebuild. Here at Keepin' Austin Austin, we think we have one solution to this problem. --- This passage introduces the logos of the podcast, generally mentioning the podcast's solution. At the same time, it continues to use pathos to disparage the newcomers. The reference to the authority of the podcast inspires ethos.

First, we will change zoning to relax restrictions on development in wealthier areas. We will aim for allowing more luxury, high-rise buildings, speeding the approval process for new construction, and rezoning nearby land to allow for an expansion of the rich areas. Then, we will also use zoning to restrict certain types of development in traditional low-income neighborhoods. --- Logos is used here in adding detail to the proposal.

Specifically, we'd forbid developers from making affordable housing into luxury. Let's talk about what zoning is and how the City can use it to implement these policies. According to Kenton, writing in Investopedia, zoning refers to municipal or local laws and regulations that govern how real property can and cannot be used in certain geographic areas. Ethos is used by referring to the published expert's definition. Logos is used in the further advancement of the proposal.

Kenton goes on to explain that municipalities create a master plan and petition the City into neighborhoods and districts. Different rules will apply to different petitions in order to achieve goals such as creating certain types of living space for residents or promoting economic development. A crude example would be that you can't build an oil refinery in a residential neighborhood, but a more subtle example would be that certain neighborhoods are only for single-family homes with yards, not apartment buildings. --- This passage entirely uses logos to give details of how zoning works to provide a foundation for the proposal.

Turning to the City of Austin specifically, the City is divided into what are called base districts. There are 16 of these, which fall into basic categories such as single-family only or medium-density apartments. However, there are huge complexities within this through the use of what are called overlays --- Logos continues to be used in this passage as the general description of zoning is applied to the City of Austin.

These can get quite specific. For example, there is a Capitol View overlay district, which preserves views of the Capitol Dome by limiting the height of buildings along certain corridors. There are also specific overlays to preserve the character of historic districts, such as Aldrich Place, which is north of the University in the City of Austin. Logos continues to be used as the details of how zoning works in Austin are described.

But in practice, the rules are created and defined by the Planning Commission, a pointed group of volunteers, and the Planning Department, a division of the municipal government. We propose that Austin use overlays to selectively relax housing restrictions in some trendy, wealthy districts. This could include allowing more high-rise buildings, speeding the approval process for new constructions, and rezoning nearby land to make it part of the wealthy areas. --- Logos is further used to give details to the plan. This section also uses Ethos, because the legitimacy of the idea is demonstrated by the speaker's deep knowledge of zoning.

But so that these areas stay desirable, the City can, in effect, require that only new upscale housing be allowed. This can be achieved by, for example, requiring a certain size floor plan for new apartments. Even specific materials for construction and faucets could create more of the type of housing that would attract the wealthy newcomers. -- This section is entirely focused on logos as more details of the proposal are presented.

With more of this housing available, prices would be less likely to spiral out of control. The other part of my proposal is to make novel use of overlays to protect the low-income nature of certain existing traditional neighborhoods. This is turning traditional zoning on its head by using protections normally deployed in the service of the privileged to benefit the underprivileged. --- This section uses further logos to further describe the proposal. In addition, there is an element of ethos involved because the assertion of novelty implies that the speaker has expertise in the subject.

In this part of my proposal, zoning would be deployed to significantly limit the expansion of housing stock in traditional neighborhoods. By restricting growth, there wouldn't be enough places for the wealthy newcomers to live, even if they wanted to. --- This passage continues to use the logos to describe the proposal and then use logos in another way to make a logical argument to support the proposal.

However, there is a potential pitfall here. Fewer apartments that are harder to find could create scarcity that makes traditional low-income housing more so often, and even more expensive once they are remodeled into luxury. We propose to attack this problem by limiting the ability of developers and new residents to make existing rental units more upscale and desirable. Nothing can be built in Austin without a building permit that describes the work and the cost of the work. The City could set a limit on how much you could spend upgrading apartments and avoid these pitfalls. --- Logos is deployed here to highlight a possible problem and then demonstrate the proposal has a solution. This also invokes this because the speaker is shown to have carefully thought through the implications of the proposal and therefore the speaker has more credibility.

But hey, we know these proposals may not work for a lot of reasons, but let's try to use zoning overlays and building permits to fix this. We here at Keep an Austin Austin are always optimistic that we can keep the vibe, no matter how many people move here. --- This section uses logos in a different way, using logic to describe some reasons why the proposal may not work. Showing that the proposal may not work is using ethos to bolster the credibility of the speaker because she has thought through various scenarios and has a real-world practical approach. It also has pathos in that it tries to affect the emotions of the listener and have them feel upbeat.

Walt Whitman adopts the satirical perspective of a reformer, using evocative language to lament the changes in Brooklyn due to a steady and rapid gentrification. The modern reformer '[raises] the devil' and 'breaks things'.

Personal Anecdote & Problem Illustration, Uses a personal narrative to build Ethos and evoke Pathos. The Seoul statistic provides initial Logos, illustrating the broader problem of Displacement.

Acknowledging the Counter-Argument, Presents the opposing viewpoint, appealing to Logos and acknowledging the economic benefits often cited by Stakeholders.

Emphasizing the Human and Community Cost

Detailing Implementation Strategies

Addressing Potential Objections & Conclusion

Introducing myself and the topic I'm focusing on: Gentrification in Austin, TX, specifically how local South Congress businesses have been facing displacement. By bringing awareness to the issue through a podcast, it brings out the emotion in listeners, intriguing them to continue listening and expanding their knowledge on the topic. I use my personal experience and tone of voice to connect with the audience and help them understand how this issue affects real people in their community.

Providing context on why local shops have been experiencing displacement: How the rise of tech companies and the influx of new residents have played a key role in gentrification in Austin. Not only affecting local shops but also long-time residents, hoping to connect with current Austin residents and make them reflect on whether or not they have seen, heard, or have contributed to this problem. Through thoughtful narration, this part of the podcast could challenge listeners to consider their role in this issue.

Thesis: How introducing a bill to protect local businesses from being displaced is a step toward preserving Austin’s history, culture, and community. The part of the podcast emphasizes the importance of supporting local shops while recognizing the value of growth, encouraging listeners to see that both local shops and high-end retailers can coexist. Through a calm and informative tone, I aim to persuade without alienating those who support new development.

How Austin’s “weird” factor has always been a point of pride, especially in areas like South Congress that helped shape its identity. In this part of my podcast, I use a reflective tone and cultural references to show how gentrification is slowly erasing the city’s unique character. This rhetorical approach connects with long-time residents and listeners who value Austin’s culture, encouraging them to think about what’s being lost as the city continues to prioritize new high-end retailers.

Connecting Rachel Meltzer's research to this topic: Explains how demographic shifts are reshaping South Congress by highlighting how new wealthier residents are unintentionally displacing the diversity and creativity that once defined the area. This invites listeners to reflect on their role in these changes. The delivery and use of a thoughtful, informative tone help persuade new and long-time residents to think more about this issue.

The risk of losing Austin's image because of local shops being displaced: Highlight the shift from local businesses to high-end retailers to show how South Congress is losing its unique charm. The rhetorical use of pathos helps listeners understand the loss of authenticity, urging them to consider the consequences of gentrification. Through a reflective tone, I engage both residents and potential stakeholders, by making them feel responsible for protecting Austin’s image and culture before it’s erased.

Connecting Jessica Ferm's research to this topic: Jessica Ferm highlights how policymakers fail to address the negative effects of gentrification. This quote strengthens my podcast’s credibility and encourages listeners to question what the local government may be hiding. The serious tone emphasizes the disconnect between local government and community impact, aiming to engage concerned residents and prompt community involvement.

Local businesses having to face rising rent costs: Explains how the rising cost of living in South Congress is displacing both small businesses and long-time residents, showing how the economy and cultural loss are connected. This helps listeners see the broader impact of gentrification on the entire community, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. This encourages both residents and policymakers to consider what’s really at stake when rents start to rise.

The relationship between local businesses and long-time residents:Highlighting the emotional and cultural value of small businesses by emphasizing how much they provide to the community and the personal connections they’ve built. By using pathos, it helps listeners understand that losing these businesses is about more than economic problems, it’s about originality and belonging. This connection resonates with long-time residents and anyone who values Austin's culture and community.

The good and bad things about new high-end retailers: The complexity of gentrification shows how new businesses bring economic benefits but also contribute to displacement. This approach appeals to a broader audience by recognizing multiple sides of this issue. As well as encouraging listeners to consider the social cost of economic development.

City planners and local government: Addressing city planners and government officials directly shows how their decisions can shape the future of Austin’s identity. By contrasting two possible outcomes, it persuades listeners to care more about policy choices. This encourages community engagement, urging local leaders and community members to take action before Austin loses its unique history, culture, and image.

Proposal: Encouraging both new and long-time residents to get involved through community-led engagement like petitions and city council meetings. By directly addressing this issue, it invites listeners to see themselves as active participants in change, not just bystanders. My proposal helps engage the audience, especially stakeholders who care about preserving Austin’s local identity while still encouraging growth.

Counterargument: Acknowledging the opposing views shows that concerns about economic growth and development are valid. I'm able to present a balanced argument that respects the perspectives of developers and residents while still reinforcing why local businesses must be included in Austin's growth and development. This counterargument appeals to a wide range of stakeholders from landlords to longtime community members.

Introduction of East Austin’s current gentrification and What kind of growth are we supporting?

NLIHC Chart (Chart 01 and Chart 02)

Local business protection and personal memories (D.C. business grant)

East Austin mural “Let’s build a future that includes everyone.”

Introduction to the problem, what is gentrification, and that it is a very common issue, first talk about the upside of gentrification, what good does it bring

The downsides of gentrification explain why the problem needs to be solved, because of reasons such as displacement, harm on families, connect to Pathos, as the audience sympathize with residents facing these issues

demonstrate counter argument

Homes are getting more expensive and long-term residents are being kicked out.

It's not just about buildings but about jobs, churches, and communities too.

Housing is about the people of Austin not just money purposes.

This is about justice for the residents of Austin.

In order to see true growth the city needs to come together with strength.

Visualization of gentrification provides context and generates sense of empathy.

Describing the housing crisis in specific cities brings upon the sense of urgency to audience.

Drawbacks of rent control creates a sense of credibility as different viewpoints are addressed.

By providing a logical approach to gentrification, it evokes logos and highlights the need for policy.

Highlighting that we need to preserve the communities that are being pushed out promotes a sympathetic tone amongst the audience.

Hey everyone. Thanks for being here. Today, I want to discuss something that I find extremely important. We talk about it, it is an issue that has been overlooked, so I am here to change that. Today I will be talking about South Congress Avenue. If you live in Austin or have spent any time around here, you know the area, and you already know it's not just another street. It has always had its own culture. Live music, local artists, taco trucks, vintage stores, families walking around, small businesses that have been there forever.

It's always been one of those places that make a city feel unique, in this case Austin. But lately, it's started to change significantly. You walk down South Congress now and you still see some of the old spots, but they're surrounded by luxury apartments, high-end chain stores, and places clearly designed for tourists. I use a personal and honest tone to connect with people who know Austin, building trust while showing how South Congress has shifted from a unique, local space to something more commercial.

It feels like the neighborhood is shifting from being a place people live and build lives in to a place people visit and spend money. And this isn't just about a couple of new stores or buildings being created. What's happening on South Congress is part of a bigger issue, and that issue is gentrification. That's exactly the reason why, today, I want to break down what gentrification actually means, how it's showing up on South Congress, and what Austin can do to address it in a fair way. So let's start with the basics. Gentrification occurs when a neighborhood begins to attract wealthier people, and as a result of that, prices increase.

That might sound simple, but the impact is complicated. The people who already live there, often working-class families, people of color, and older residents, find themselves priced out. Rent goes up. Property taxes go up. Small businesses can't afford their leases anymore. So even though the neighborhood might look “nicer” on the surface. I explain gentrification in a way that's clear and easy to follow, while also using emotion and real-life examples to show why this issue matters and how it's changing South Congress for the people who live there.

It's coming at the cost of the people who built that community in the first place. That's exactly what's happening on South Congress. It was once a working-class neighborhood with deep ties to Austin's Black and Latino communities. It was full of local businesses, affordable rent, and longtime residents who had been there for decades. But as Austin has grown, so has the pressure to develop. The city's booming, real estate prices are rising fast, and South Congress has become one of the most desirable areas in town. That makes it a target for investors and developers. They're buying up property, renovating buildings, and marketing the area to people with more money.

And while that might bring money into the local economy, it's also pushing out the people who made the neighborhood what it is. That's what gentrification does. It replaces real community with something more polished but less personal. The Liberator explains this clearly. I use a clear and personal tone to show how gentrification on South Congress is not just about development but about pushing out the Black, Latino, and working class communities who built the area, turning a once genuine neighborhood into something more polished but less meaningful.

But when we let gentrification erase the communities that built that culture, we lose more than just old buildings. We lose people, stories, and connection. The Guardian, one of the sources, stated “Without strong, targeted policies, the damage from gentrification is often irreversible, leaving cities more unequal and culturally sterile.” So what can be done? In my Project 3, I argued for two main policy approaches. First is rent control. Second is anti-displacement support for local businesses and homeowners.

Let's talk about rent control. It's not some radical concept. It's just a way to limit how much a landlord can increase rent in a year. That gives people a little more stability. It makes it harder for sudden price hikes to displace people from their homes. I combine emotional appeal with evidence and a clear call to action by showing how gentrification erases not just places but people and culture, then shift into a solutions-based approach using my own research and credible sources to argue for fairer housing policies like rent control.

It's about recognizing that growth without fairness is just displacement. It's about realizing that culture doesn't come from buildings or branding. It comes from people. And when those people are gone, the culture goes with them. So what does success look like? It's not complicated. If rent prices level off. If local businesses are still there in five years. If the neighborhood still reflects the diversity it always had. If people who grew up near South Congress can afford to stay. That means success. Booe and Lippman say it well: “Preserving the character of South Congress means making room for both growth and tradition.”

That's the balance we should be aiming for. Ultimately, this is about the city's future. South Congress is just one example, but it shows us where things are heading. If we want Austin to stay creative, diverse, and real, we have to act like it. That means policy, support, and intentional choices. Thank you so much for listening. I hope this gave you something to think about. In this last part I put everything back to values and community, using a hopeful but urgent tone to show that real success means keeping South Congress diverse and livable, and I end by encouraging action through clear, simple goals and a reminder that the future of Austin depends on the choices we make now.