ángel carreras

Written 10 February, 2024

Manhattan makes home to various communities, and on the southeastern part of the borough, is the vibrant neighborhood Lower East Side. The Lower East Side (LES) in the 19th century was the most densely populated neighborhood globally, peaking in 1910. The land was initially inhabited by the Lenape people – however throughout the 19th and 20th century, it quickly became a melting pot of various immigrant communities. Unfortunately, as the years progressed, demographics currently show that the LES has been undergoing gentrification as the population continues to grow city-wide. In reverence, a complex of environmental burdens come with heavy population, and post-industrial revolution.

Let’s delve into demographics:

As of 2024, 28.1% residents identified as Asian, 11.0% identified as Black, 25.0% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 32.6% identified as White.

The median household income is 27% lower than the rest of the city, at $52,720.

Map Courtesy of Arts in NYC https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/zeng20/2016/11/18/historic-overview/

There are a variety of ways to navigate New York City from the Lower East Side. The methods may vary based on commuter needs, often relying on the MTA, alongside pavements and paths designed for pedestrians and bikers. Though it grants commuter benefits, the Lower East Side faces the burdens of pollution disproportionately to other neighborhoods in Manhattan due to industrial advancements, vehicular movement, heating systems, and crises like the 2023 Canadian wildfire smoke. Though it is partially inevitable, public housing complexes like Baruch Houses and Jacob Riis Houses have reported city negligence and underfunding when addressing water quality, mold, and heating. Further, the Lower East Side and its proximity toward the East River pose a concern, often facing contamination from sewage overflow and industrial discharge. These issues are not quickly alleviated, nor funded in an equitable manner.

This past month (January 2024), residents of the Lower East Side joined a bevy alongside elected officials to file a class action lawsuit to stop MTA congestion pricing. They claim that the MTA disregarded the environmental impacts that will affect their community. Residents claim the MTA has blatantly lied to New Yorkers, that with recent changes it’ll better the environment and Central Business District, however their own reports show the advancements will only further pollute their neighborhood on a disproportionate level. 

In reverence to the median household making 27% less than the city average, the ability for residents themselves to facilitate change becomes increasingly difficult. Carlina Rivera is the NYC Council who oversees the Lower East Side and its surrounding neighborhoods. Reaching out to her, and voting is an easy and effective way to better protect the environment, neighborhood, and community.