The process of neighborhood change where higher-income residents move into traditionally lower-income areas, often leading to displacement of original residents and transformation of the area's character. This typically involves renovation of housing and changes in local businesses and services.
Coined by British sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964 from 'gentry' (landed aristocracy), describing how middle-class professionals were buying and renovating working-class housing in London. The '-ification' suffix emphasizes the transformative process involved.
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