Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Anthropology
Major Professor
Rebecca Zarger, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Antoinette Jackson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
E. Christian Wells, Ph.D.
Keywords
gentrification, placekeeping, urban anthropology, social capital, displacement, community activism
Abstract
This study examines the impact of gentrification on the Tampa Heights community in Florida, focusing on the role of Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA) in fostering civic engagement and youth empowerment amidst urban transformation. Using a mixed-methods ethnographic approach, including participant observation, archival review, spatial analysis, surveys, and interviews, the research investigates how THJCA affiliates conceptualize and respond to gentrification, space, and community change. Employing urban place theories and social capital frameworks, the research challenges deficit-oriented narratives in examining the experiences of current and former residents, the effects of gentrification on youth educational services, and THJCA's strategies for maintaining community cohesion and engaging in placekeeping despite displacement. The study aims to provide insights into community resilience and agency in the face of gentrification, potentially benefiting THJCA's future programming and offering a model for other community-based organizations facing similar challenges.
Scholar Commons Citation
Whitacre, Alex R., "Navigating Change: Youth Civic Engagement at Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10690
