NPR
Monday, June 18, 2012

Root Shock

In gardening, “root shock” is the traumatic stress a plant goes through when it is uprooted. Psychiatrist Mindy Fullilove points out how the same thing happens to people displaced from their emotional ecosystem, whether by natural disaster, development-induced displacement, war, or gentrification. In her book, Dr. Fullilove uses the example of the Hill District to illustrate how this happens. Dr. Fullilove uses Pittsburgh to illustrate positive changes in neighborhoods, too. She will be giving a lecture on Monday, June 18, at the August Wilson Center. We talk to her about her ideas on urban renewal, and how Pittsburgh has exemplified both some of the best and some of the worst it has to offer.
According to Dr. Fullilove, Pittsburgh offers examples of both the best and the worst in urban renewal.

In gardening, “root shock” is the traumatic stress a plant goes through when it is uprooted. Psychiatrist Mindy Fullilove points out how the same thing happens to people displaced from their emotional ecosystem, whether by natural disaster, development-induced displacement, war, or gentrification. In her book, Dr. Fullilove uses the example of the Hill District to illustrate how this happens. Dr. Fullilove uses Pittsburgh to illustrate positive changes in neighborhoods, too. She will be giving a lecture on Monday, June 18, at the August Wilson Center. We talk to her about her ideas on urban renewal, and how Pittsburgh has exemplified both some of the best and some of the worst it has to offer.

Hear this story Friday at noon on 90.5 FM. It will be rebroadcast at 8:00 PM and posted online.