infill

American  

[in-fil] / ˈɪnˌfɪl /

Or in-fill

verb (used with object)

1. to fill in.

   The old stream beds have been infilled with sediment.

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noun

1. the planned conversion of empty lots, underused or rundown buildings, and other available space in densely built-up urban and suburban areas for use as sites for commercial buildings and housing, frequently as an alternative to overdevelopment of rural areas.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the use of infill in urban planning.

   infill condominium projects; infill office buildings and retail space.

infill British  

/ ˈɪnfɪlɪŋ, ˈɪnfɪl /

noun

1. the act of filling or closing gaps, etc, in something, such as a row of buildings

2. material used to fill a cavity, gap, hole, etc

3. an acrylic gel application that fills in the gap between a false nail and the root of the real nail, which is created as the real nail grows

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Etymology

Origin of infill

First recorded in 1875–80; in- ¹ + fill

Example Sentences

The developers behind the Los Olivos Street project sought to avoid the environmental review, however, because of a new state law that allows many urban infill projects to avoid such requirements.

From Los Angeles Times

Specifically, the Assembly bill will exempt most urban infill housing from CEQA, meaning most housing projects built in already-developed areas will no longer be required to undergo environmental review.

From Los Angeles Times

In April, Conor Dougherty wrote a story for the New York Times Magazine questioning the conventional wisdom of anti-sprawl, arguing that exurban development has been a vital escape valve for the nation’s failure to build enough infill housing.

From Slate

To the extent infill grew its share of the pie, it was because the 2008 housing crash sent tract-home sprawl down to levels not seen since the Eisenhower administration.

From Slate

A few years ago, Kingston was cutting his teeth as an infill developer when he found himself getting outbid for small properties, only to see them transformed into fancy, two-family homes.

From Slate