What does the term gentrification refer to?

Gentrification specifically describes a process where urban neighborhoods, often those that have experienced decline or disinvestment, undergo renewal and redevelopment. This renewal typically attracts more affluent residents and businesses, leading to a rise in property values and living costs. As a result, existing lower-income residents may find themselves priced out and forced to relocate, which highlights the displacement aspect inherent in the gentrification process.

This distinction is crucial because the process does not merely involve restoration or improvement; it fundamentally alters the demographic and economic character of neighborhoods, often to the detriment of long-standing communities. Understanding gentrification includes recognizing this dynamic of displacement, which has significant social implications for urban planning and community stability. In contrast, urban decay and preservation of low-income housing address other aspects of urban development that are not central to the definition of gentrification.