Definition of gentrify

The term "gentrify" originated in the 1960s as part of the urban development trends that affected London's East End district at the time. The neologism was coined by the British urban studies scholar Ruth Glass, who used it to describe the process by which working-class or impoverished neighborhoods are transformed by upper-middle-class or affluent residents. In her 1964 book "London: Aspects of Change," Glass explained that gentrification refers to the "reclamation and improvement of derelict areas which results from the infiltration of the middle class." She argued that this process could have both positive and negative consequences, as it could lead to higher property values, improved infrastructure, and increased safety, but also displacement of long-time residents who could no longer afford to live in the area. Since then, the term "gentrify" has been widely adopted by urban planners, sociologists, and academics to describe a similar process of urban revitalization taking place in many major cities worldwide. While the phenomenon has been subject to both praise and criticism, the term itself remains a contentious one due to its negative connotations and its association with the displacement of low-income and minority populations.