Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant (aka Bed-Stuy) is a neighborhood in central Brooklyn, New York.

Modern Improvements and Gentrification efforts

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Starting in the 1980's, the neighborhood began a renaissance which is becoming evident today. In common with the rest of New York City after the "crack epidemic" peaked in 1990, the crime level in the neighborhood has dropped radically. A recent campaign was started to erase the "Bed-Stuy, Do-or-Die" image made popular by pop culture which has lured more caucasian residents, displacing the Black and Latino populus.

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Currently, the neighborhood is becoming more racially diverse. The Hispanic population has increased, and the white population is following as well. An article in the April 2005 issue of Time Out New York, The Battle for Bed-Stuy chronicled the increasing non-African American population moving in. Many long time residents and business owners are worried they will be priced out by newcomer "yuppies,". and that the neighborhood's ethnic character will be lost. Others say gentrification is spreading because of the appeal of the Brownstones that are numerous in Bedford Stuyvesant. However, a substantial black population does remain-Bedford-Stuyvesant's population has increased with less African-Americans being totally displaced than in racial change in other areas of Brooklyn like Cobble Hill. This is an alarming problem, but there are efforts to stop the gentrifing of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Still, the eastern portions towards Bushwick and Brownsville, which have considerably worse housing stock and are closer to undesirable areas with next to no appeal to yuppies or hipsters are crime-stricken and poverty-stricken.

Related Topics:
April 2005 - Time Out - Yuppies - Gentrification - Brownstone - Cobble Hill - Bushwick - Brownsville - Yuppie - Hipster

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