Lecture Notes: Culture, Climate Gentrification, and the Haitian Community in Little Haiti

Introduction to Culture and Climate Gentrification

• Culture and Identity: Culture is experienced through senses - hearing, smelling, and tasting.
• Current Threat: Climate gentrification poses a significant threat to cultural identity.

Little Haiti: A Miami Neighborhood Under Pressure

• Background: Known as "Ti Ayiti" in Creole; home to a large Haitian immigrant community.
• Rising Property Rates: Significant gentrification is happening; residents face displacement.

Impacts of Climate Change on Miami

• Sea Level Rise: Miami’s sea level is expected to rise more than a foot in 25 years.
• Flooding: Sunny day tidal flooding and high tides threaten beachfront properties.
• Elevation and Development: Little Haiti’s higher elevation makes it attractive to developers.

The Haitian Community and Displacement

• Population: Over 30,000 Haitians live in Miami, forming the largest U.S. Haitian population.
• Real Estate Pressure: Homeowners, like Michel Bien-Aimé, face unsolicited offers to sell their properties.
• Historical Context: Haitian immigration surged in the ‘70s and ‘80s due to political unrest.

Climate Gentrification Explained

• Definition: Movement of people to higher ground, displacing historic residents.
• Vulnerability of Beachfront: Miami Beach properties are highly susceptible to sea level rise.
• Land Use Changes: Higher elevation areas become more desirable, driving up costs.

Economic and Cultural Impact

• Increasing Costs: Rising property values and rent push out long-time residents and businesses.
• Cultural Identity at Risk: Little Haiti is a cultural stronghold; gentrification threatens this identity.
• Local Business Challenges: Businesses like Schiller Sanon-Jules' have faced closures due to rent hikes.

Community Efforts and Development Projects

• Community Resistance: Residents and organizations push against large developments like Magic City Innovation District.
• Affordable Housing Initiatives: Efforts to provide affordable homes for the community are ongoing.
• Engagement with Developers: Demand for inclusive development that considers existing communities.

Conclusion: The Future of Little Haiti

• Embracing Change: Change should be humane and inclusive.
• Preservation of Culture: Efforts continue to maintain cultural identity and provide affordable options.
• Community Involvement: Residents actively participate in city planning discussions to protect their homes and heritage.