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Chinatown, Boston

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Chinatown, Boston has historically been the center for the Chinese community in the region. Recently, it has been regarded as a prime location for real estate as it is located in the medium between Downtown Crossing, Boston Common, Theatre District, South End, Massachusetts Turnpike, and Bay Village. Due to this, there has been increased luxury residential development, large institutions, and short-term rentals in the area.[1]. This drastic change to the social environment has caused skyrocketed rents, speculative real estate transactions, and lack of adequate protections for tenants, essentially all unfolding towards a serious housing crisis[1] with a lack of affordable housing.

History of Chinatown Boston[edit]

In the 1860s, the building of the transcontinental railroads attracted a wave of Chinese laborers to the United States. After the tracks were completed, the laborers left to settle in nearby towns. However, racial hostilities flared, which often culminated in violent riots. As an escape, the Chinese immigrants fled to Chinatown, originally deemed as the undesirable area by Boston and built it from scratch. Once started up, Chinatown became the heart of the Asian community[2].

Chinese Exclusion Act[edit]

In 1882, Chester A Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act in an attempt to stop new Chinese immigrants from entering the United States. Despite this, Chinatown Boston continued to grow and foster a safe area for the Asian community. In 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed, which allowed for more Asian immigrants to move into Chinatown. Family restaurants, schools, churches, and a Chinatown branch of the YMCA opened up.[3]

Chinese Merchants Association Building[edit]

In 1951, the Chinese Merchants Association Building was intended as a landmark in Chinatown because it was financed by the immigrant community. It stood six stories tall with a tan siding and held a red sign that read "Welcome to Chinatown" as cars drove by. There was a traditional roof pagoda, facade of balconies and side lanterns. This building was later cut in a third by the construction of the Central Artery Expressway in 1954.[4]

Housing Insecurity[edit]

The MIT Urban Planning reported that eighty percent of Chinatown residents in Boston report housing insecurity caused primarily by unaffordable rents[1]. Residents are also disproportionately elderly and 40% of the families have children. Chinese-American households living in Chinatown are currently spending almost half of their monthly income on rent each month. Average family incomes were also standing at $14,289 in 2018[5]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Boston's Chinatown: Forced from Home | MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning". dusp.mit.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  2. "Amid a Rapidly Changing Present, Can Chinatown Preserve Its Past? | Magazine | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  3. "Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882, Definition & Purpose - HISTORY". www.history.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  4. "Chinese Merchants Association Building". www.vamonde.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  5. "Boston Chinatown". Chinatown Report. Retrieved 2020-10-12.


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