A new study by the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund stating that gentrification is leading to the decline of Chinatowns in New York, Boston and Philadelphia has been challenged by the Congress for the New Urbanism or CNU.
CNU contends that the number of Asians in both Boston and Philadelphia have both actually increased. The group does acknowledge, however, that the percentage of Asians has decreased in those Chinatown due to faster population growth by other groups.
In New York, CNU says the percentage of Chinese Americans has actually increased
CNU also says rents in New York and Boston Chinatown while increasing are still below city averages. It called the decline of Chinatown a “non-story.”
CNU describes itself as “promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.”