We are excited to announce a new UW Tacoma Library Display on the second floor of the Tioga Library Building: Gentrification in Tacoma.

Tacoma is not immune to gentrification. Gentrification is the process by which poor neighborhoods are changed by the influx of wealthier residents through urban development. Gentrification results in the displacement of the neighborhood’s original inhabitants, who are often of marginalized backgrounds. This displacement is not accidental, nor coincidental; rather, it is achieved through purposeful, structural changes that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. 

The history of gentrification began long before the University of Washington Tacoma was founded in 1990. The display explores this history from the late nineteenth century to present through the stories of the Puyallup, Chinese, Japanese, Black, and other BIPOC communities. These narratives are intertwined with the rise and fall of industries, such as lumber, and infrastructural development, including the military. This history is very much connected to the present and Tacoma’s current housing costs. However, gentrification is not an unstoppable process, nor does it indicate a predetermined conclusion. In addition to these stories, we provide local resources to fight gentrification. 

The UW Tacoma Library seeks to recognize and highlight the impact of gentrification in its own backyard and also suggest ways to take action. We also invite you to consider actions you can take to address gentrification, and have a selection of curated titles as part of the display that can be a starting off point for your own explorations.

The display is located on the second floor of the Tioga Library Building, and will run through Summer Quarter 2022. For a list of resources consulted and external resources, please check out this list!