512stew is a fundraised book that showcases 18 unique perspectives of Austin. The book is the result of a collaborative effort of the University of Texas at Austin’s Design class of 2015. Each student in the class contributed their own perspective of Austin’s culture to this book. My contribution is entitled Gentrified.
Gentrified is a visual representation and exploration of the ongoing gentrification of East Austin. A mile East from downtown, this residential area has recently been making top ten lists of the hippest places to live in America. This is due to its close proximity to downtown Austin. Since this area is becoming prime real estate, property values are rising, resulting in higher taxes. This causes many low-income families to become displaced.
Historically, Austin has been a heavily segregated city due to segregationist laws of the past. Because of this, minority populations are primarily found clustered east of the downtown area and across I-35. Now that real estate in this area is in high demand and taxes are increasing, changes in minority populations are drastically affected. Gentrified showcases changes in the ethnic population densities of East Austin from 2000 and 2010. The representations of these changes are based on the 2000 and 2010 Census.
2014 Core77 Design Awards Student Runner Up for the category of Visual Communications
From 2000 to 2010 there was a hefty increase in the white population of East Austin. In 2000 the majority of block groups east of I-35 had less than 20% white population density.
In 2010 you see an increase of white population density in block groups; especially those that lie closer to I-35. Block groups that once had a white population density of less than 20% now contain 20-40% and some 40-60%.
The population density of Hispanics in the block groups of East Austin was generally high in 2000. There are multiple block groups where the population density was 80% and above predominantly in the southern and central region of this area. There were also quite a few block groups where the Hispanic population density ranged from 60-80%.
In 2010 there is a widespread decrease in Hispanic population densities. The more significant population changes lie in the block groups that had a population density of 80% or above. These areas saw 20-60%
decreases in Hispanic population density.
In 2000 the African American population density per block group was generally very low. The few block groups with a population density of over 60% were located on the Eastern most edge of this area.
In 2010 there is only one block group left with an African American population density above 60%. Very few block groups even fall in between 40% and 60%.
