Neo-Bohemia: Art and Commerce in the Postindustrial City

Fantastic book centering on the gentrification of Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Wicker Park, the once blight and gritty hood that attracted artists and other creatives due to cheap rents and proximity to the Loop, has become one of the hippest areas of the country by way of aspiring artists, rising musicians, and a healthy design commerce. "Neo-Bohemia" gives a somewhat detailed history of Wicker Park and insightful interviews with it's residents (not the yuppies thats have invaded the neighborhood) on their coined "bohemian" culture. Beyond the history lesson, "Neo-Bohemia" explains how, in our postindustrial era, creative communities are viewed more positively and actually help to gentrify areas that were once avoided. Comparisons to NYC's Greenwich Village and SF's North Beach (along with Paris' Montparnasse and Montmartre) are made to better prove the point. Great read if you have any interest in gentrification and urban development. Only complaint is I felt that there was too much emphasis on the negative aspects of artists Vs. yuppies. I was hoping more for statistics, rehabs and major commerce associated with gentrifying areas.