gentrification

noun

Etymology: From gentry + -ification, after gentrify. Coined by German-born British sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964.

1. 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.”

2. A geographical area that is gradually becoming prosperous due to investment.