When "urban renewal" of lower class neighbourhoods with condos attracts yuppie tenants, driving up rents and driving out long time, lower income residents. It often begins with influxes of local artists looking for a cheap place to live, giving the neighbourhood a bohemian flair. This hip reputation attracts yuppies who want to live in such an atmosphere, driving out the lower income artists and lower income residents, often ethnic/racial minorities, changing the social character of the neighbourhood.
It also involves the "yuppification" of local businesses; shops catering to yuppie tastes like sushi resaturants, Starbucks, etc... come to replace local businesses displaced by higher rents.
The term was coined by sociologist Ruth Glass, who is quoted below.
It also involves the "yuppification" of local businesses; shops catering to yuppie tastes like sushi resaturants, Starbucks, etc... come to replace local businesses displaced by higher rents.
The term was coined by sociologist Ruth Glass, who is quoted below.
"One by one, many of the working class quarters of London have been invaded by the middle-classes—upper and lower. Shabby, modest mews and cottages—two rooms up and two down—have been taken over, when their leases have expired, and have become elegant, expensive residences .... Once this process of 'gentrification' starts in a district it goes on rapidly until all or most of the original working-class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed."
-Ruth Glass (1964)
-Ruth Glass (1964)
by Black_Lotus June 20, 2006
by tucan121 February 10, 2012
When uppity white people move into a ghetto and take over the real estate, which fucks over the current residents. Usually followed by the opening of a shit ton of Starbucks, Nordstroms, and Whole Foods.
Uppity white mom: excuse me, where can I find kale and quinoa around here?
local resident: fuck, this gentrification shit needs to stop
local resident: fuck, this gentrification shit needs to stop
by aintnostoppingmenow November 18, 2014
All these yuppies are contributing to gentrification in my neighborhood with their mid-century gray tones and turquoise accents.
by Trololol trolololol October 13, 2018
Gentrification is when businesses and homes are built in shitty, run-down neighbourhoods, which means the people who live there will actually have to work for a living if they want to pay the rent instead of beating up and mugging old ladies.
Hey man, you can't mess with our hood, that's gentrification! Wait, you're leaving? That's white flight, you stupid ass crackkka! Racist!
by Palladium1 October 23, 2022
Bro, I can't afford the new fancy coffee shop, I can't even pay my rent cause of all the gentrification
by cupcakesanon September 11, 2019
A buzzword uttered mostly by those who are outraged that improving a neighborhood means people will spend more money to live in it.
- What's happened to all the bums that used to hang around here?
- Gentrification, man. Getting worse by the day.
- Gentrification, man. Getting worse by the day.
by user565322 December 11, 2016