BedStuy

Bedford-Stuyvesant, commonly known as Bed-Stuy, is a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City. Located in the northern-central part of Brooklyn, it is bordered by several other neighborhoods, including Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Crown Heights, with boundaries that vary by source. The area takes its name from the former towns of Bedford and Stuyvesant and has long been associated with a large African American community.

Historically, Bed-Stuy developed in the 19th century as a residential district known for its row houses and brownstones. In the early to mid-20th century it became a major center of Black culture, community life, and civil rights organizing. From the 1960s through the 1980s the neighborhood faced economic and housing challenges, but community organizations such as the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, founded in 1967, led revitalization and development efforts. Since the late 1990s, Bed-Stuy has undergone significant gentrification, with new businesses and renovations accompanying rising housing costs.

Architecture and urban form are defining features, with well-preserved 19th-century brick townhouses, tree-lined blocks, and historic churches. The neighborhood remains a focal point for discussions of urban change in New York, balancing preservation with new investment and development.

Culture and significance include a long association with Black culture, music, and local activism. Bed-Stuy has hosted numerous community institutions and events, and its historic streets are linked in the public imagination with jazz, hip-hop, and community organizing. Today, the area is a diverse, densely populated neighborhood experiencing ongoing development and conversations about affordability and displacement.