Gentrificare

Gentrificare is the Romanian term for gentrification, the process by which urban neighborhoods undergo socioeconomic change driven by an influx of middle- or higher-income residents and new investment. The phenomenon, described in many cities worldwide, began to be analyzed in the mid-20th century and the English term originated with Ruth Glass in 1964.

Common mechanisms include rising property values and rents, redevelopment and conversion of housing stock, new retail and services oriented toward affluent residents, and changes in local governance and public amenities. These forces can attract renovations and improved infrastructure but also lead to the displacement of long-standing, lower-income residents, whether through higher costs or redevelopment.

Impacts are mixed: potential improvements in infrastructure, safety, and services; simultaneous loss of affordable housing, changes in neighborhood character, and shifts in the demographic and cultural makeup. Local businesses may shift to cater to wealthier clientele, altering employment patterns and consumer options.

Policy responses vary and may include inclusionary housing requirements, rent stabilization, tenant protections, community land trusts, and measures to preserve affordable housing and cultural heritage. Critics emphasize social inequities and the eroding of long-standing communities, while supporters point to investment, vitality, and tax revenue.

See also: gentrification; urban renewal; housing affordability; neighborhood change.