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gentrify

verb

/ˈdʒɛntrɪfʌɪ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of gentrify

To renovate and improve a neighborhood or urban area, often resulting in increased property values and the influx of more affluent residents.
"Efforts to gentrify the dilapidated district have been met with controversy."

Detailed meaning of gentrify

This can involve the renovation of historic buildings, the development of new businesses and amenities, and the creation of new housing units. While gentrification can bring economic benefits to an area, such as increased property values and job opportunities, it can also have negative social and cultural effects. Gentrification can lead to the displacement of lower-income residents, the loss of affordable housing, and the erasure of the neighborhood's cultural identity. Additionally, the influx of affluent residents can create tensions and conflicts with long-time residents who feel marginalized or excluded. Overall, the verb "gentrify" is often used to describe the process of urban renewal and the complex social and economic dynamics that accompany it.

Example sentences containing gentrify

1. The upcoming public transport upgrade is set to gentrify the eastern suburb.
2. Critics argue that the new zoning regulations will gentrify the area, displacing longtime residents.
3. The decision to gentrify the historic neighborhood has split opinions among locals.
4. City planners aim to gentrify the rundown downtown area, creating spaces for trendy cafes and boutiques.
5. Major corporations seek to gentrify the area, but community leaders are pushing back.
6. Developers have proposed ambitious plans to gentrify the old industrial zone.

History and etymology of gentrify

The verb 'gentrify' has relatively recent origins and is a blend of two words: 'gentry' and 'identify.' 'Gentry' refers to the upper or middle class of a society, particularly the more affluent or well-to-do members, and it has its roots in Middle English and Old French. 'Identify' comes from the Latin word 'identitas,' meaning 'sameness' or 'equality.' In the mid-20th century, 'gentrify' emerged to describe the process of renovating and improving a neighborhood or urban area, often resulting in increased property values and the influx of more affluent residents. It carries the idea of the upper or middle class identifying with or moving into a previously less affluent area, thereby changing its character and socioeconomic landscape. 'Gentrify' has been used to both praise revitalization efforts and criticize their potential effects on long-term residents and affordability.

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Further usage examples of gentrify

1. Critics argue that attempts to gentrify often lead to higher living costs.
2. Investors often buy dilapidated properties with plans to gentrify, but community backlash can be a hindrance.
3. Urban policy can inadvertently gentrify neighborhoods, making them unaffordable for original residents.
4. Attempts to gentrify the seaside town have been met with local protests.
5. The current administration seeks to gentrify the neglected parts of the city.
6. Rising property taxes, a sign of the ongoing efforts to gentrify the district, have burdened many residents.
7. Authorities aim to gentrify the slums without displacing its current inhabitants.
8. Certain policies can inadvertently gentrify areas, pushing out marginalized communities.
9. The council's plan to gentrify the old warehouse district has divided the city.
10. A number of abandoned buildings are being renovated as part of the plan to gentrify the area.
11. The government’s bid to gentrify the northern suburbs has sparked widespread debate.
12. Gentrify the neighborhood, but ensure that it retains its unique character, is the complex task the city planners face.
13. The need to gentrify the city’s neglected districts forms a central part of the urban development agenda.
14. The city's plan to gentrify the old district sparked debates about displacement.
15. Gentrification can bring economic growth but may displace long-term residents.
16. Some argue that gentrifying neighborhoods erase cultural diversity.
17. Developers often target historic areas to gentrify and attract investors.
18. Gentrify initiatives often face resistance from communities fearing change.
19. Urban revitalization efforts can gentrify neighborhoods rapidly.
20. Gentrifying areas may see an influx of trendy shops and upscale restaurants.
21. Critics claim that gentrification drives up rents, pushing out low-income families.
22. Artists and creatives sometimes spark the early stages of gentrification.
23. Gentrify projects aim to bring new life to neglected urban spaces.
24. Balancing growth and preserving community identity is key in gentrification.