Mapping the Evolution of a Wicked Problem
Gentrification in Pittsburgh
TEAM CATALYST
Team Members
- Charmaine Qiu, charmaiq@andrew.cmu.edu
- Aman Sinha, amansinh@andrew.cmu.edu
- Gloria Moon, gmoon@andrew.cmu.edu
- Yongwen Dai, yongwend@andrew.cmu.edu
Assignment Overview
Assignment #3, Mapping the Evolution of a Wicked Problem, is the third of five assignments that explores the transition design approach for tackling complex, wicked problems and initiating systems-level changes. Continuing the work from our last assignment, our team dove deep into the wicked problem of Gentrification in Pittsburgh. To provide some background context, gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more wealthy residents and businesses, usually accompanied by the displacement of the current inhabitants. Pittsburgh is one of the most gentrified cities in the US with some of the famous neighborhoods continuing to be gentrified. For this assignment, mapping the evolution of a wicked problem is the first part to look into the next and future steps for change. We examine how the dynamics of change and transition within a socio-technical system give rise to many interconnected wicked problems. This approach and process can then reveal insights from the past that can inform both future visions and interventions in the present.
Introduction
To tackle the big task of mapping the evolution of a wicked problem, our team used the Multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. The multi-level perspective (MLP) is a way to understand how big changes happen in society. It focuses on how different levels of society interact to create new ways of doing things. There are three levels: the big picture (landscape), the current way of doing things (regime), and new ideas that could change things (niche). The regime level is where things are stable and people are used to doing things a certain way. It’s hard to change because it’s been around for a while and is supported by rules and technology. The landscape level is the bigger context around the regime level. It’s influenced by things like culture, politics, and economics. The niche level is where new ideas are born. It’s a place where people can experiment with new technology and ways of doing things without being influenced by market forces or regulations. The MLP says that big changes happen when these three levels interact in a way that destabilizes the current way of doing things and opens up new opportunities for change.
Research Process
Pre-Industrialization
When mapping the timeline of the evolution of gentrification, we chose the colonization era, a landscape-level event, as a starting point to trace back to the origins of Pittsburgh. Before being founded in 1758, Pittsburgh was inhabited by Native American tribes. When the European settlers arrived, they quickly removed Native American lands, which initiated the history of the displacement of indigenous communities at the regime level. The tension between colonizers and indigenous people was further exacerbated by the unequal distribution of resources and racial discrimination. Low-income and colored communities are often excluded from certain neighborhoods or denied access to resources. In Pittsburgh, this has meant that some neighborhoods have become gentrified while others have remained segregated and marginalized. At the Niche level, we begin to see European establishments that disrupted the original Native American communities and culture, giving indigenous people little voice in their living conditions.
Industrialization
Pittsburgh’s long history of industrialization can be divided into several distinct phases:
Early industrialization (late 1700s-early 1800s): Pittsburgh’s first industries were focused on the production of iron and glass, with early factories using water-powered machinery to produce goods.
Steel era (late 1800s-early 1900s): Pittsburgh became known as the “Steel City” during this period, as the city’s steel mills produced a significant portion of the country’s steel.
Innovations such as the Bessemer process and the open-hearth furnace helped to make steel production more efficient and profitable.
Post-World War II (the 1940s-1970s): After World War II, Pittsburgh continued to be a major center of manufacturing, with steel production still a major industry. However, the city also diversified its economy during this period, with growth in sectors such as electronics, chemicals, and plastics.
Decline and restructuring (the 1980s-1990s): The 1980s saw a decline in Pittsburgh’s manufacturing industries, as competition from other regions and countries led to plant closures and job losses. However, the city also began to transition to a more service-based economy, with growth in industries such as healthcare, education, and finance.
Industrialization fueled significant economic growth in Pittsburgh, earning it the nickname of the “steel city.” Apart from being a city with abundant resources for steel manufacturing, the growth of the industry is heavily influenced by landscape events like the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. The wars created a rising demand for steel rails used for transportation.
At the regime level, the economy grew rapidly with more workers and immigrants moving into Pittsburgh to pursue steel-related occupations. This population growth led to the construction of many new neighborhoods and housing developments. As these neighborhoods became more desirable and grew in value, they began to attract more affluent residents, leading to gentrification.
In response to these events, new opportunities arose in the niche level as Pittsburgh became a hotbed of steel startups. One of the most significant developments in Pittsburgh’s industrialization was the adoption of the Bessemer Steel Making process by Andrew Carnegie in the Carnegie Steel Company. This technological innovation revolutionized the steel industry, allowing for faster and cheaper production of steel. The success of the Carnegie Steel Company led to its merger with other companies, ultimately forming the US Steel Company, which at the time was the largest private company in the world.
Post-Industrialization
The process of urban renewal and redevelopment in Pittsburgh has resulted in some areas becoming more desirable, leading to rising property values and an influx of new residents. However, this process can contribute to gentrification and displace longtime residents, as new businesses and residents change the character of a neighborhood. Contributing to this changing character are several factors such as the influx of young professionals, shifts in racial and ethnic composition, an aging population, and increasing income inequality. Following the decline of the steel industry in the 1980s, Pittsburgh began to attract a new generation of young professionals who were drawn to the city’s lower cost of living, cultural amenities, and job opportunities. This influx of young professionals has contributed to gentrification in neighborhoods in and around downtown Pittsburgh.
At the same time, transportation infrastructure has played a significant role in the gentrification of Pittsburgh after 1980. While improved connectivity and investment in public transportation have brought economic benefits to the city, they have also contributed to the displacement of low-income residents in some neighborhoods since neighborhoods that were once considered remote or inaccessible became more desirable, leading to gentrification.
Some positive efforts of housing policy are actively contributed. The Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) in Pittsburgh is a public fund established in 2016 to support affordable housing development and anti-displacement efforts in the city. It has various programs designed to help increase the availability and affordability of housing in Pittsburgh, particularly for low-income residents who may be at risk of displacement due to gentrification. By investing in affordable housing, the HOF seeks to create more stable, inclusive communities that are accessible to a range of income levels.
In the decades that followed, Pittsburgh underwent a period of revitalization and economic diversification, driven by industries such as healthcare, education, and technology. Now it is proposing a promising future with more sustainable development from knowledge-oriented and innovation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the way people work and live, including a rise in remote work and telecommuting. In Pittsburgh, as in many other cities, the pandemic has accelerated some pre-existing trends, such as the growth of the tech industry and the revitalization of certain neighborhoods.
One interesting thing we were discussing was how the newly emerging trend of ‘work from home’ will probably impact the gentrification in Pittsburgh. One possible scenario is that the rise of remote work could lead to a more dispersed workforce, as people have more flexibility to choose where they live and work. This could lead to a decentralization of economic activity and the revitalization of smaller or more remote neighborhoods in Pittsburgh that were previously overlooked. On the other hand, the rise of remote work could also reinforce existing patterns of inequality and segregation. For example, wealthier residents may be able to afford larger homes with dedicated office space or access to high-speed internet, while low-income residents may struggle with inadequate housing or connectivity. This could exacerbate existing disparities and lead to the displacement of vulnerable communities. We need more time and more research to figure out more factors that are woven into this issue to see what it will bring about gentrification.
Challenges
One challenge of analyzing gentrification through a timeline is capturing the historical context of the city and its neighborhoods. Pittsburgh has a long and complex history that includes factors such as industrialization, deindustrialization, urban renewal, and suburbanization. These factors have had a profound impact on the city’s neighborhoods, shaping their physical, economic, and social characteristics over time. Understanding how these factors interact with gentrification requires careful attention to historical trends and the complex interplay between different forces.
Another challenge of analyzing gentrification through a timeline is capturing the social trends that have driven the process. Social trends can be driven by a range of different factors, including demographic shifts, cultural changes, and economic forces. Tracking these trends over time requires careful attention to changes in attitudes, behaviors, and values among different groups of people. Additionally, social trends can change rapidly over time, making it challenging to capture them in a linear timeline.
Finally, analyzing gentrification through a timeline from the niche perspective requires understanding how these factors fit into the broader context of gentrification in the city. Events and startups can have a significant impact on gentrification by attracting new residents, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. However, it can be difficult to isolate the specific effects of these factors on gentrification, especially if they are part of a larger trend or if they interact with other factors in complex ways.
Despite these challenges, it is possible to develop a nuanced and informative analysis of gentrification in Pittsburgh through a timeline that includes different perspectives. This requires careful attention to the interplay between different factors, a deep understanding of the historical context of the city and its neighborhoods, and a willingness to grapple with the complex and multifaceted nature of gentrification. By taking these factors into account, it is possible to shed light on the forces driving gentrification in Pittsburgh and to develop strategies for promoting equitable and sustainable development in the city’s neighborhoods.
Insights
Pittsburgh’s history of gentrification has evolved over time, reflecting the city’s changing economic and social landscape. Through this MLP mapping exercise, few key insights emerged:
The Birth of the City of Pittsburgh (the 1700s): The city’s early development was shaped by a range of factors, including geography, natural resources, and the arrival of settlers from various backgrounds. The concept of gentrification does not apply to Pittsburgh’s early history, which was shaped by a complex interplay of social, economic, and geographic factors.
Early gentrification (the 1970s-1990s): During this period, Pittsburgh’s downtown area underwent a significant transformation, as urban renewal efforts and new development projects attracted investment and new residents. However, this process of gentrification was also marked by displacement and disruption of longstanding communities, particularly in neighborhoods such as the Hill District.
Gentrification in the East End (2000s-present): Over the past two decades, many of Pittsburgh’s formerly working-class neighborhoods in the East End have experienced rapid gentrification, as younger, wealthier residents have moved in and housing prices have skyrocketed. This has led to concerns about displacement and the loss of community character, as well as the tension between longtime residents and newcomers.
Gentrification in the North Side (2010s-present): More recently, neighborhoods on Pittsburgh’s North Side, including Mexican War Streets, Central Northside, and Allegheny West, have become popular destinations for gentrifiers. These neighborhoods, which offer a mix of historic architecture and convenient access to downtown, have seen a surge of new development and investment, but also raised concerns about affordability and the impact of rising property values on longtime residents.
Throughout Pittsburgh’s history, gentrification has often been driven by economic and social factors, as well as political decisions about development and investment. While gentrification can bring new investments, amenities, and jobs to an area, it can also lead to displacement, social disruption, and loss of community character. As Pittsburgh continues to evolve and grow, it will be important to find ways to promote economic growth and development while also supporting the needs and interests of all residents.
Next Steps
After completing the detailed process of mapping the evolution of a wicked problem, our team has a stronger understanding of the many different dynamics of change and transition within a complex system. Our next step is to extend the problem frame into the distant future, develop a vision of where we want to go, then think deeply and rigorously about how to get there.
Reflection
Overall, it was very insightful and eye-opening to investigate the evolution of gentrification in Pittsburgh and how it has become a wicked problem that affects the city’s socio-technical system. The multi-level perspective (MLP) framework was a concrete tool to understand how different levels of society interact and create new ways of doing things.
We’ve learned that gentrification is a complex issue that has evolved over time due to various landscape, regime, and niche events. It started with the colonization era, where European settlers removed Native American lands, initiating the history of the displacement of indigenous communities. Later, the growth of Pittsburgh’s steel industry attracted more workers and immigrants, leading to the construction of many new neighborhoods and housing developments. As these neighborhoods became more desirable and grew in value, they began to attract more affluent residents, leading to gentrification.
We also learned the role of technology in the evolution of gentrification. Technological innovations like the Bessemer Steel Making process revolutionized the steel industry, allowing for faster and cheaper production of steel, which contributed to Pittsburgh’s economic growth. However, this growth also led to the displacement of low-income and marginalized communities, as more affluent residents moved in.
While challenging at first, we’ve broken down the complexity of gentrification as a wicked problem and realized the importance of understanding its evolution and dynamics to develop effective interventions.
References
- Contributor, PESTLEanalysis. “What Is Steep Analysis and 5 Steps to Conduct One.” PESTLE Analysis, 1 Dec. 2022, https://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-steep-analysis/.
- Klein, Daniel. “Artists and Neighborhood Change, Probing Gentrification — EVOLVEEA.” Evolve EA, 12 May 2020, https://evolveea.com/artists-and-neighborhood-change/.
- Ncrc. (2019, April 9). Pittsburgh City Paper: Pittsburgh is one of the most gentrified cities in the U.S. “ NCRC. NCRC. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- Special to the Capital-Star, P. C.-S. M. 4. (2021, May 4). How rising rents and renovations have displaced Pittsburghers and added to the city’s ongoing issues with gentrification — pennsylvania capital. Star. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- The Pittsburgh Neighborhood Project. (2022, November 19). Gentrification and displacement in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Neighborhood Project. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- You don’t have to go far to find gentrification in Pittsburgh. utimes. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2023.
