How does exposure to climate risk contribute to gentrification?

The growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are influencing people's decision-making about the cities in which they will live in the future. The subsequent societal impacts of greater exposure to climate hazards require transformative action in coastal cities. However, few studies have considered the aggregate impacts of risk-induced household migration behaviour. In this study, we employ a difference-in-differences framework to examine hurricane-prone coastal cities across the US to explore the cumulative consequences of residential migration in response to climate risk exposure. Our results indicate that the cumulative in-migration due to climate risks may cause demographic shifts in areas where climate risk is relatively low, increasing climate gentrification. Climate-risk-induced migration to low storm intensity areas is associated with a 13.8 % increase in median income, while in-migration to lower flood-risk areas decreases non-Hispanic African American residents by 18.9 %. These results suggest that state and local governments should promote effective local-level climate adaptations to address climate risks, not only to ensure urban sustainability in hazard-prone areas but also to curb potential social inequality in low-risk areas.

Automated summary

The increasing occurrence and severity of extreme weather events are influencing people's decisions on future city living. The social impacts of heightened exposure to climate risks call for transformative measures in coastal cities. However, few studies have examined the overall effects of risk-induced household migration behavior. Using a difference-in-differences framework, this study examines hurricane-prone coastal cities in the US to understand the cumulative consequences of climate risk-related residential migration. The findings reveal that migration triggered by climate risks may contribute to climate gentrification in low-risk areas, leading to a 13.8% increase in median income in low storm intensity areas and an 18.9% decrease in non-Hispanic African American residents in low flood-risk areas. These results highlight the importance for state and local governments to promote effective climate adaptations at the local level, not only for urban sustainability in hazard-prone areas but also to address potential social inequality in low-risk areas.