Reverse gentrification is a critique and a means to envisage the standard of historical preservation. Although historical preservation is known to slow down gentrification and displacement, its standard, which focuses on the cosmetic values of buildings, severely puts communities of color at a disadvantage. At the same time, the architectural standards of communities of color are often lacking in identity, structural-material integrity, and activated spaces. These not only puts these communities at a higher displacement risk, but also contributes to the weaponization of historical preservation. With that, I am reimagining the standard of preservation through the preservation of community-based programs within this vulnerable community. Since preservation alone is not a permanent solution that can fend off gentrification and displacement completely, I am also proposing to reflect the character of the preserved building throughout the entire block. Through this, the programmatic characters of the preserved building start to reflect and permeate throughout its surrounding buildings. Thus, obstructing developers from gentrifying the area, while also enhancing the identity of the block and the livelihoods of its inhabitants.
