Hasin I. Ahmed June 9, 2015

Field Visit

Neighborhood: Elmhurst, Queens, NYC Date: June 7th, 2015 The borough of Queens is the most diverse county of New York state and the neighborhood of Elmhurst serves as an example of that testament. Elmhurst is located in the very center of Queens; surrounded by the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, and Middle Village. As a result of its central location, the neighborhood has residents from a wide array of backgrounds. It is not unusual to notice storefront signs in different languages, such as Spanish, Cantonese, Thai, and Korean. The central location has become a hub for international economic activities due to the presence of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) that are owned by the large immigrant community. From my walk around Elmhurst to Corona, I have witnessed businesses from several regions around the globe, such as Central America, South America, South Asia, South-East Asia, East Asia, etc. Elmhurst houses a small Chinatown, which serves as a satellite for the larger Chinatown of Queens, which is located further northwest in Flushing. Like any Chinatown, food serves as the epicenter of the neighborhoods social activities. There are several grocery stores that sell products imported directly from other Asian countries, not only China. Moreover, there is a presence of a diverse range of cuisines, such as Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean and many more besides the usual Chinese restaurants. Religious institutions also serve as key element of the social fabric of the neighborhood. For examples, within a two-mile radius, there is a Hindu temple, a mosque, a Korean church, a Chinese church, and a Buddhist meditation center.

Elmhurst’s close proximity to Manhattan also puts it at the forefront of gentrification that has been occurring in other parts of Queens and New York City. For example, there are many high-rise housing and commercial projects under construction at the moment. Elmhurst is located in a prime location and it is likely that upon completion of these projects, property will increase and there might be an influx of new migrants from within New York City that belong to a higher economic bracket. Additionally, the neighborhood houses several entertainment/shopping amenities, such as the Queens Center mall, which already draws in consumers from all over the borough and it might even serve as complementary factor for the upcoming housing projects.

Economic growth is part of the development process of any neighborhood. It is likely that greater growth will surface a changing environment for the established

residents. In the case of Elmhurst, it appears that local immigrant business owners have a strong footing in the day-to-day operational activities. However, with the additional development, it will be interesting see how the local business community adapts to the changing external environment. Additional research can potentially reveal whether the upcoming changes will benefit or harm the local economy. Regardless, it is indeed an exciting period for the neighborhood. The policy makers will be presented with a challenging environment and the level of inclusivity of the policies will be contested in the midst of these changes.

Elmhurst, Queens, NYC © Hasin I. Ahmed | www.HasinAhmed.org

Elmhurst, Queens, NYC © Hasin I. Ahmed | www.HasinAhmed.org

Corona, Queens, NYC © Hasin I. Ahmed | www.HasinAhmed.org

Elmhurst, Queens, NYC © Hasin I. Ahmed | www.HasinAhmed.org

Elmhurst, Queens, NYC © Hasin I. Ahmed | www.HasinAhmed.org