1. Do Now: Read article and respond to these questions
How do you feel about the gentrification happening in Bronzeville?
Is it better, worse, or the same as other instances of gentrification?

2. History of Pilsen
1800’s to present

3. Who has lived here in the past??
Pilsen has been a “Working Class” neighborhood since the 1800’s.
First immigrants to live here were:
Polish
Czhechoslovakians
Lithuanians
Drawn to the area for good paying entry level jobs
This population remained in the area until the 1950’s.

4. Why the Change in 1950?
Latino (primarily Mexican) immigrants begin to move into the community.
By 1960’s only the Polish community still outnumbered the Latino populations.
Why did they come?
Their original community had been displaced due to the construction of UIC
By 1970, Pilsen was the first majority Latino community in Chicago.

5. The importance of Pilsen to the Latino Community
Important hub for new Latino immigrants both to the country or just to Chicago
In 2001, 49.1% of the population was foreign born (chicagoareahousing.org, 2004)
Center for a variety of Latino organizations serving the Chicago Area
Focus of many political movements focusing on needs of Latino community

6. Pilsen’s Qualifications for Gentrification
Location
Easy access to the Blue Line (and thus to the Loop)
Located near the 4 major highways, and easy access to get on and off quickly
Real Estate
Affordable, Low Cost properties
History/Architecture
Not touched by the 1871 Chicago Fire. Original and Historic buildings still exist.

7. Attempts at Gentrification
Chicago 21 Plan : Goal to change working class communities into middle class communities for downtown workers.
Created parking structures and parking options for the downtown area, using portions of Pilsen
Pilsen Triangle : Attempts to make Pilsen a tourist destination similar to Chinatown. (Mexitown)
Promoted by outside interest groups, not the residents of Pilsen

8. Yuppies out of Pilsen

9. Stakeholders in Pilsen
Goals/Values
Local Governments
Gentrification = more taxes/revenue
Banks and Realtors
Low Cost and High Profit
Residents of Pilsen
Maintain Community
Improve Conditions
Maintain Support Systems

10. Pilsen’s 1 component that does not fit the four qualifiers
Pilsen is not a location that is well- designed for vast improvements or changes.
There are not many empty lots, and there in general is not a lot of space
Few abandonded buildings due to high levels of renting

11. Fear of Displacement
Residents still remember the displacement of the 1950’s that sent them to Pilsen in the first place (UIC consctruction)
Have had hints of it in recent history as well
Demolition of buildings to build parking structures in Eastern Pilsen in 1980’s
University Village – developed out of the UIC campus
Development of Roosevelt Square (2004) slated to be completed next year

12. Summary
For 70 years Pilsen was a primarily Eastern European neighborhood
1950’s demographics begin to change to become more Latino (majority Mexican)
Communities were pushed into Pilsen due to construction of UIC
1980’s Pilsen begins to see pressure from outside groups to try to develop and re-structure the neighborhood
Pilsen has been resistant to change for the most part due to higher renters than home owners and strong community organization

13. Exit Ticket
Pilsen has changed before, do you think the current population has a “right” to demand that other people stay out, when they had taken over the neighborhood in the past? Why or Why Not?