Word
gentrification
Phoneticsgen·tri·fi·ca·tion
US/ˌdʒɛntɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
UK/dʒˌɛntɹɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01social and economic change
n. the process of improving a poor neighborhood so that it becomes suitable for the middle class, which often makes it too expensive for the people who lived there before.
n. the process of urban development in which a neighborhood undergoes a shift from low value to high value, often involving the displacement of long-term residents by more affluent newcomers.
“The gentrification of the old dock district has led to many new cafes but much higher rents.”
“Urban planners are increasingly concerned that rapid gentrification is eroding the cultural heritage of the city's historic working-class neighborhoods.”
Academic
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance or example.
Teaching tip
This term often carries a negative connotation regarding social justice and displacement, even though it describes physical 'improvement'.
Synonyms
02an area undergoing change
n. a specific part of a city that is currently becoming more expensive and modern.
n. a geographical area or district currently experiencing the effects of middle-class investment and physical rebuilding.
“This neighborhood is a clear example of gentrification in progress.”
“The borough has become a site of intense gentrification, with luxury apartments replacing the former industrial warehouses.”
Academic
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“And once again it's the locals who are getting pushed aside while the red carpet is rolled out for gentrification.” “For years it has been threatened by gentrification, now campaigners say Brick Lane is facing a very different – very 21st-century – threat: the construction of a massive datacentre.” Etymology
From gentry + -ification, after gentrify. Coined by German-born British sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/gentrification