Urban Diversity – UBST 103
For some time now, multi-general communities have been a growing trend in New York City. The creation of these communities is due to some economic factors, lack of job opportunities after completing college, foreclosure of pension, or a lost job. However, despite the situation, elderly parents and grown children are living under one roof. Multigeneral families are those comprising of over a single-family generation, all living under the same roof. NYC has implemented some initiatives to help in incentivizing these multigenerational communities. For example, to make houses more affordable to families, the city is selling or renting city-owned land to house developers at fair prices, under the condition that the property is used for projects of affordable housing. Also, the city has adopted simpler requirements for construction. Design requirements and zoning laws are simple for development companies (American Planning Association). In exchange, the companies have to include a minimum proportion of units of affordable housing in the construction project. The other incentive for multigenerational households is tax incentives. Tax exemptions are offered to companies of real estate development if they create a minimum proportion of affordable housing. NYC may also directly fund affordable housing developments through public-private partnerships.
Conversations around gentrification dictate that incentivizing multi-general households is not good for low-income populations. Some people believe that creating more affordable housing displaces families, especially low-income earners, thus weakening community bonds. It undermines cultural connections and disrupts family life. Nevertheless, these claims are not backed by common sense or clear evidence.
It takes a village to raise a child is a proverb that was formulated in Africa. It means that for children to grow and experience in a healthy and safe environment, they have to interact with the entire community of people. Children are looked at by children. However, it doesn’t mean that the whole village has the responsibility of raising a child. There are a variety of benefits associated with intergenerational interaction in the cities. This form of interaction helps different life stages from learning from each other and helping one another. For the aging population, social interaction, especially with the young ones, is like a catalyst for assisting them to stay more social. The relationships of the elderly are maintained when they are healthier and happier.
There are different wonderful ways in which people from different generations may interact. These ways include planning for community events, establishing befriending schemes, and providing for other types of initiatives, activities, or groups. In some countries, social service programs have been created to offer prospects for different generations to meet and share knowledge, skills, and experiences that mutually benefit the different generations and nurture positive progression relationships (Richard 1). Communities can foster multigenerational relationships, either between interest groups or within households. The neighborhood community is mainly age-integrated, thus making interactions between the elderly and the young a significant aspect of daily routine. Communication between these two generations can also be facilitated by the exchange of old and new technologies, and past and new ways of living.
In conclusion, multigenerational communities are becoming part of society today. Most of these communities do not emerge from the willingness of the members. However, it is as a result of economic factors. The best way in which NYC can help these households is by making housing more affordable to people, especially to the low-income earners. Intergenerational should be taken as a regular societal activity. All ages have to interact, help, and learn from one another.
Works Cited
American Planning Association. “Using Smart Growth and Universal Design to Link the Needs of Children and the Aging Population.”
Richard Florida. “Is Your Neighborhood Changing? It Might Be Youthification, Not Gentrification.” City Lab. February 5, 2015.