gentrification

American  

[jen-truh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌdʒɛn trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.

2. the process of conforming to an upper- or middle-class lifestyle, or of making a product, activity, etc., appealing to those with more affluent tastes.

   the gentrification of fashion.

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gentrification British  

/ ˌdʒɛntrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a process by which middle-class people take up residence in a traditionally working-class area of a city, changing the character of the area

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Other Word Forms

• gentrifier noun

Etymology

Origin of gentrification

gentr(y) ( def. ) + -i- ( def. ) + -fication; coined by sociologist Ruth Glass (1912–90), German-born British sociologist in 1964

Example Sentences

In the last several years, gentrification has taken hold of Echo Park, hiking up both residential and commercial rent.

From Los Angeles Times

As in many growing cities, gentrification and inequality are a growing problem for the poor, however.

From Barron's

Powell grew up in Didsbury, Manchester, an area which has been variously dubbed the "stockbroker" or "muesli" belt following a few years of gentrification.

From BBC

“It’s the development question, the densification question, the gentrification question.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For the next five years, cities can exempt properties in high-risk fire areas, historic preservation zones and low-resource areas — an attempt to mitigate the bill’s effect on gentrification in low-income neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times