Harbor City, CA

Harbor City is a small neighborhood in the Los Angeles South Bay area. Carson, Lomita, Torrance, San Pedro, Palos Verdes and Wilmington are the neighboring communities in the area. With pockets of residential suburbs and nearby industrial areas that include facilities such as oil wells, factories, and refineries.

I have lived here most of my life and seen it grow from its predetermined future due to redlining. The new developments has shown that this city has potential to become more and grow as a community.

It is a part of systematic racism that marked certain areas to be of "high risk" of investment based on the people who were in these zones, generally non-whites lived in these areas. This has led to a lot of discrimination, as they were not able to receive loans due to where they lived and their race. Without loans, people color were not able to borrow money to get better homes or start a business. Another effect of redlining is that industrial buildings and factories became abundant in these areas. Causing respiratory and other health issues due to the air pollutants created by the refineries, factories, and other industrial structures. (cbsnews.com)

Harbor City and its neighboring cities have been in limbo for decades due to the affects of redlining. Streets with many abandoned buildings, lots, and plazas in dire need of refurbishment. I have lived here almost 30 years and not until recently I have started to see investment in my city.

These images are a few examples of what the neighborhoods in redlined areas look like. It is common for people of color and lower income to be living near refineries such as this. The unfortunate outcome of racial segregation from this practice.

This chart shows the ethnic diversity within the city. Where white is actually the minority and Latino being the most prominent. There is also a large Asian demographic which is reflected in the types of food businesses in the area.

A few years ago there has been some changes and improvement to Harbor City and Lomita.

Although the new developments are exciting, it is hard not to propose the question if this is a part of gentrification. By definition it is not far along, there are signs of a wealthier families moving into the brand new homes and apartments, new businesses, but yet have to see the displacement of the poorer communities. Not to say that it wont happen.

What is interesting about the growth of Harbor City and its neighbors, is that these developments mainly took place on empty and abandoned lots that have been that way for many years. So there is a sort of beautification of the cities, creating attractive businesses in order to give the area more of an identity and build community.

With these maps together we can see that a redlined city is able to overcome its predetermined future created by discrimination. Hopefully it can continue to grow to provide better opportunities for its diverse population. As well as creating a safer and more sustainable environment.