Taking Back the Boulevard: Art, Activism, and Gentrification in Los Angeles

Abstract

Taking Back the Boulevard tells the story of Northeast Los Angeles known popularly for historic Arts and Crafts architecture, bohemian cultural life, independent small businesses, immigrant diversity and quality of life on its boulevards. It chronicles the initial emergence of these prototypical LA streetcar suburbs and the Arroyo Culture bohemia, then disinvestment with growth of mid-20 th century freeway suburbs and white flight with residential succession by incoming Latin American and Asian immigrants. Neighborhood revitalization followed through a Latino/a arts renaissance and Arroyo Culture revival involving muralism, youth involvement and public arts events and festivals. Neighborhood activism was also a key force through campaigns to preserve natural and architectural landmarks and museums, oppose mini-malls, “big box” and chain store franchises, and to “Take Back the Boulevard” for bikers and pedestrians. Yet the creation of a more culturally vibrant and livable city along with entry of speculator developers fostered accelerated gentrification and white return after the Great Recession with increasing mass evictions of working-class and Latino/a households sparking new rounds of local protest. Changing conditions and generational divides confront the neighborhoods as established slow growth leaders share space with newer “right to the city” activists. The author offers lessons for urban planners and policymakers on addressing gentrification effects of public transit-oriented development and smart growth through strategies like participatory planning, Latino Urbanism, and community advisory boards.