Heritage and Housing: The Impact of Historical Designation in Miami’s Urban Development.

Abstract

This thesis looks at the role of historical designation in gentrification in the three boundary neighborhoods of Little Havana, Overtown, and Allapattah in Miami’s urban core. The pace of development in Miami has resulted in rapid and uneven displacement of historically marginalized and under-resourced communities. These displacements are accompanied by the loss of cultural heritage. The study also outlines Miami's history of racial segregation and unequal access to economic resources. The author hypothesizes that race is a more statistically significant predictor of gentrification than other factors, although historical designation and community engagement may mitigate these negative impacts. Through multivariate regression (MVR) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the thesis explores the influence of historical designation, race, economic factors, and political power on urban development outcomes. Using data from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the study applies MVR to identify critical variables influencing neighborhood transformation; SEM confirms the interrelationships between these variables. The analysis shows neighborhoods with strong “Power of Place” may be more resilient to gentrification, though predominantly Black areas remain at higher risk than Hispanic ones, even when historically designated. The conclusion emphasizes the need for policies that combine historical preservation with affordable housing strategies, advocating for urban growth that honors cultural heritage while promoting equity. The author calls for further research on leveraging historical designation to protect vulnerable communities from gentrification’s adverse effects.