Winnie A.

Felix
Observational Assignment

March 26, 2015

Professor Deborah Padgett

I chose to observe the accessibility of social spaces within the changing dynamics of
gentrification within the downtown Brooklyn area. I completed my observation in 2 locations
within the same city block of Dekalb Ave between Fulton Street and Flatbush Ave - McDonalds
(as mapped in Photo #1) and Starbucks from 3pm to 4:30pm, a high traffic time period during
the middle of the work week. This location is a heavily commercialized area (Photo #2) with a
great deal of foot traffic compounded by numerous schools, a university, public hospital and
construction.
The McDonalds (Photo #3) serves as both a large central dining establishment in the downtown
Brooklyn community, frequented mainly by long time residents of the area, many coming from
working class socio-economic groups. The racial demographics at McDonalds were primarily
African American, Latino and to a lesser extent, Asian with a split gender ratio. The age range
spanned from young children with their parents to the elderly with a significant percentage of
adolescent customers. During my observation, there were strong evidence of close-knit
communal interactions amongst the employees and customers alike. The employees engaged in
frequent side conversations with colleagues and customers suggesting familiarity, customers
engaged in conversations with one another and remained seated long after consumption of food.
Noticeable was the absence of communication devices such as cell phones, laptops and/or tablets
for the vast majority of the customers. The environment was active as evidenced by loud music
playing in the background, machinery from the back of the store, orders being placed and
individual discussion among customers (Photo #4). Despite that, a significant number of people
(~10-15%) sat at the farther end of the restaurant, away from the crowd and dined alone,

frequently looking out the window and appeared deep in though while taking their time to eat
their meals. Employees constantly tended to the cleanliness of the environment by frequently
wiping down tables, sweeping the floor and throwing out the trash. I had an impromptu
conversation with an employee (initiated by the employee after we made brief eye contact)
revealed that McDonalds inspectors visited the restaurant daily to ensure the restaurant was kept
clean and up to code.
The Starbucks located 4 doors down, differed greatly in its environment. The racial demographic
was majority Caucasian and Asian with a smaller percentage of African Americans. The age
range was split between high school aged student and men/women in their 20-30s. The space
was significantly smaller than McDonalds, with a total of 5 tables available for customers to use.
The furniture was newer and trendier, the music playing in the background was mellower than at
McDonalds and the lighting was dim. Employees did not engage with customers outside of
standard customer service. Customers engaging in conversations were quieter and many people
did not interact with others at all with a significant number of customers utilizing communication
devices in the establishment (Photo #5).
The downtown Brooklyn has undergone significant changes within the socioeconomic and racial
demographic population of its residents. The long time working class, mainly minority residents,
is now increasingly sharing spaces with more affluent Caucasian and Asian residents.
Consequently, the business and the local environment are rapidly changing to meet the needs of
the new makeup of the area. The highly commercial environment makes it so that limited options
are available for people to engage in targeted social interactions and/or find respites from the
busy surroundings. The rationale for choosing McDonalds and Starbucks was to highlight how
each serves as a social space in addition to its primary business motives, the sociodemographic

makeup of its customers, their interactions within their respective spaces and what this may
mean for the local players, both old and new, as the community continues to undergo the process
of gentrification. The establishments, though located in close proximity to one another, differ
greatly in the manner in which its customers utilize the respective space for social purposes.
McDonalds has served as a central location within this area for over 20 years while Starbucks, in
business for about 10 years, is one of many recent additions to this area amidst its commercial
revival. The social behavior exhibited in McDonalds reveals that how it is being used
(presumably) by long term residents for more than just a dining establishment but rather an
integral social setting where social networking is actively maintained. The low food prices
coupled with the large space in an area that has increasingly less similar available options,
continues to attract this population. Conversely, the social utilization of Starbucks by its
customer base highlights how different the space is used by the newer and more affluent
demographic of local players.
With respect to public health, it is imperative to understand and respect the social behavioral
norms of all local players within a given spacial area when undergoing changing dynamics such
as with gentrification. Traditionally, dictating financial capacity has favored groups with greater
economic access and modeled urban planning accordingly. This observation provides a means of
highlighting the social norms and needs of older, often times economically disempowered
residents, which differs from behavior norms of newer residents. Thus, future planning should
include these considerations when planning social options suitable and conducive to the norms
and traditions of this population.

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

Photo #4

Photo #5