Climate gentrification in Houston after Hurricane Harvey: The role of network of plans.

Post-disaster resilience efforts may drive gentrification, exacerbating inequities in vulnerable neighborhoods. This study investigates climate gentrification in Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey, specifically examining the role of disaster damage and the network of resilience-oriented plans. Using Freeman's (2005) framework, street-level image analysis, and the Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard™ (PIRS™), I analyzed the relationship between hurricane damage extent, plan network characteristics, gentrification, and perceived neighborhood changes. Key findings reveal that (1) census tracts with greater Hurricane Harvey damage were significantly more likely to gentrify and experience physical transformations post-disaster; and (2) the characteristics of the planning network influenced these outcomes, with smaller-scale plans and policies within environmental and hazard mitigation plans showing a positive association with gentrification likelihood. This research contributes empirical evidence for the 'Resilience Investment Pathway' of climate gentrification, demonstrating how post-disaster conditions and planning interventions can interact to shape neighborhood trajectories. The findings underscore the critical need for planners to consider the potential gentrifying impacts of resilience initiatives, particularly regarding plan scale and type, to foster more equitable recovery in overburdened communities.