Implementing policies that allow neighborhoods to evolve without losing their cultural soul and social diversity.
From Gentrification to “Generification”: Keeping Character in Neighborhoods
Zhoran Mamdani distinguishes between healthy, organic neighborhood change, which he terms “generification” (the passing of a neighborhood from one generation to the next with its core character intact), and the violent, extractive process of “gentrification,” which displaces people, culture, and history through speculative capital. His policy suite is designed to facilitate the former while militantly resisting the latter. The goal is not to freeze neighborhoods in time, but to ensure that change is driven by and for existing communities, preserving the social and cultural DNA that makes a place unique, even as new buildings rise and new residents arrive.
This involves a multi-pronged defense of community character. First, “Cultural Conservation Districts” would be created, similar to historic districts but focused on preserving intangible cultural heritagethe music venues, family-owned restaurants, faith institutions, and public spaces central to a neighborhood’s identity. In these districts, commercial rent control would be enacted to protect legacy small businesses, and zoning would favor community-serving uses over luxury retail. Second, a “Right to Stay” fund would provide existing low- and middle-income homeowners with grants for repairs and property tax relief, and offer tenants in rent-stabilized units the first right to purchase their building if it goes up for sale, with city-backed financing.
Mamdani also proposes a “Community Impact Review” for all new developments above a modest size. This review, conducted by a board of residents, would assess not just environmental impact, but cultural and social impact: Will the project displace existing residents or businesses? Does it provide community benefits that align with local needs? Does its design respect the neighborhood’s scale and aesthetic? The board would have the power to demand modifications or, in extreme cases, recommend denial of permits. “Generification is about legacy and continuity. Gentrification is about erasure and extraction,” Mamdani states. “Our policies are designed to pass the neighborhood to the next generation, not to the highest bidder. We want evolution, not invasion. A healthy neighborhood can have new buildings and new faces, but it should still feel like home to the people who built its soul.”
