Barrera_Komers_1.0 Project Book

The focus of our research is the gentrification of West Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood adversely affecting small Latino businesses. Due to rapid and expensive urban development, Latino communities are being driven out of Eugene’s commercial centers, further whitewashing the city. Authentic immigrant culture and cuisine are being suppressed which leads to alienation and the homogenization of Eugene’s culture and population. Ultimately, this affects immigrants and their descendant’s abilities to succeed and assimilate to Eugene and cities which are similar to it.

Through the use of census data, social media information and personal interviews we intend to measure social media presence, cuisine, and businesses. Within these three categories we will be collecting information on active social media accounts, number of posts and followers, type of food, price of food, and type of business. Additionally, we are interested in measuring environmental factors such as noise pollution and road/pedestrian safety to further explore the location-based issues that could be adversely affecting small Latino businesses in this neighborhood. While collecting data over several months may provide deeper insights, our indicators mostly revolve around weekly or monthly metrics.

News articles:

https://www.registerguard.com/news/20191109/taqueria-carniceria-offerings-returning-to-whit

https://www.dailyemerald.com/arts-culture/the-price-of-authentic-tacos/article_d14557c0-0b3e-11ea-96c9-2fbbaf5d9f0e.html

https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3239/Whiteaker-Community-Council-Analysis?bidId

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/5645