Reflections on Orientation--> Big Money and Big Changes

What did you learn about NYC that surprised you?

For me, the walking tour and panel discussion exposed the commercial interests which really drive development in New York City. Perhaps this point-of-view was emphasized by Bob Balder during the tour because of the nature of his work in real estate. However, almost all of the panelists mentioned the branding of different neighborhoods and the role that corporations and commercial interests play in shaping the streets, buildings, and policies of New York City. Although I was abstractly aware of a looming commercial presence in the city, both of the tour and the panel discussion really transformed it into a concrete reality for me. My awareness was so heightened by the orientation activities that I identified a “new” neighborhood marketed by developers as SoHa (South of Harlem) as a euphemism for Harlem’s increasingly white, gentrified areas just a few days later.

What area did you find most interesting and why?

I think areas in transition are fascinating. My group did an ethnographic study of Central Harlem where the contrasts between the newly renovated brownstones in gentrified neighborhoods, the older residential districts, and the 125^th Street commercial area were extremely stark. The Lower East Side is another transitional area where a bohemian community, young yuppie hipsters, and various immigrant groups have been trying to find a harmonic balance for several decades. Observing the old and new aspects of these two neighborhoods and anticipating how they will function in a few years is very exciting for me.

What would you like to see in NYC that you did not see?

I would like to see every single part of the city (except maybe Staten Island because I’ve heard that it is the most boring borough). There are so many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality, and I would like to visit as many as possible this summer. Perhaps I will explore New York further through the lens of cuisine, sampling different types of food from all the boroughs. That is a really great excuse to go out dinner!