gentrification

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The renewal and rebuilding that accompanies the influx of middle class or affluent people into deteriorating areas and often displaces earlier, usually poorer, residents; any example of such a process.

   “Labour's manifesto contains the wild promise of 'war on the private landlord,' but this may conceal a real determination to use the powers of compulsory purchase to prevent the existing residents of places like North Kensington being driven out by the twin forces of 'gentrification' and development.”

   “Who told you to buy a brownstone on my block, in my neighborhood, on my side of the street? Yo, what you wanna live in a Black neighborhood for, anyway? Man, motherfuck gentrification.”

   “In particular, the focus is on property value changes and gentrification in Portland that are often attributed to urban growth and containment policies within the state.”

   “I went to a large national forum not that long ago where about six hundred local government officials, nonprofit and neighborhood development corporation staff met to discuss the gentrification of urban neighborhoods. The irony is that the forum quickly shifted to discussions on race as it frequently does when gentrification is discussed.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A geographical area that is gradually becoming prosperous due to investment.