Who’s Chinatown, Whose Chinatown? Visions of Urban Progress in Los Angeles Chinatown, 1970-2020

Citation

Jiang, Abigail Yuan-Shan (2023) Who’s Chinatown, Whose Chinatown? Visions of Urban Progress in Los Angeles Chinatown, 1970-2020. Senior thesis (Major), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/94nx-2495. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06202023-215355092

Abstract

This thesis explores the dynamics of urban development in Los Angeles (LA) Chinatown since the 1970s until present day. The historical narrative is driven by broad demographic shifts across LA County, alongside municipal and community politics that shape the material and cultural demands behind neighborhood change. Through this narrative, I challenge the traditional framings of resident versus business interests in Chinatowns, and instead highlight the complicated and often competing visions of progress throughout the community. I argue that “the youths” and “the elders” serve as key figures in this history: first, as dynamic actors and activists directly engaged in the process of development, and second, as subjects of discourse that actors mobilize towards different goals of development. Finally, I illuminate tensions between organizing as a representative of a community and organizing in solidarity towards the tangible needs of a community.

Thesis Files