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TAKE THE QUIZurban renewal
noun
: a construction program to replace or restore substandard buildings in an urban area
Example Sentences
an area undergoing urban renewal
Recent Examples on the Web
Since 1999, when two powerful earthquakes hit northwest Turkey, near Istanbul — the stronger one killing some 18,000 people — building codes have been tightened and a process of urban renewal has been underway.
—
Zeynep Bilginsoy And Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2023
Devers’ father, who built the house with his own hands, stayed behind to make a stand against the brutal 1950s urban renewal project that was seizing their prime downtown land for nothing — no legal process, no compensation, no relocation aid.
—Gale Holland, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2022
In Boston, urban renewal has an ugly history: The city deployed it in the mid-20th century to raze entire neighborhoods, including the West End and Scollay Square, as well as parts of the South End and Roxbury.
—Emma Platoff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
In Portland, urban renewal has funded 17 major redevelopment areas since 1958.
—oregonlive, 22 Jan. 2023
Berea has faced many challenges and changes since its founding in 1836, but the urban renewal of 1971 changed the ace and flavor of the town more than any other time since the development of the quarries.
—Rich Heileman, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022
World War II shattered Tokyo and Dresden and London, a 15-year civil war ravaged Beirut, and urban renewal chewed through a whole swath of American downtowns.
—Curbed, 12 May 2022
Terrell Osborne knows well what happens when urban renewal comes to communities of color.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022
When urban renewal cleared the slums and destroyed much of its housing stock, the government also took steps to ostensibly help its local economy by bringing in larger, newer chain stores, supermarkets, and banks.
—Ike Brannon, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2021
See More
Zeynep Bilginsoy And Suzan Fraser, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2023
Devers’ father, who built the house with his own hands, stayed behind to make a stand against the brutal 1950s urban renewal project that was seizing their prime downtown land for nothing — no legal process, no compensation, no relocation aid.
—Gale Holland, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2022
In Boston, urban renewal has an ugly history: The city deployed it in the mid-20th century to raze entire neighborhoods, including the West End and Scollay Square, as well as parts of the South End and Roxbury.
—Emma Platoff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
In Portland, urban renewal has funded 17 major redevelopment areas since 1958.
—oregonlive, 22 Jan. 2023
Berea has faced many challenges and changes since its founding in 1836, but the urban renewal of 1971 changed the ace and flavor of the town more than any other time since the development of the quarries.
—Rich Heileman, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022
World War II shattered Tokyo and Dresden and London, a 15-year civil war ravaged Beirut, and urban renewal chewed through a whole swath of American downtowns.
—Curbed, 12 May 2022
Terrell Osborne knows well what happens when urban renewal comes to communities of color.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022
When urban renewal cleared the slums and destroyed much of its housing stock, the government also took steps to ostensibly help its local economy by bringing in larger, newer chain stores, supermarkets, and banks.
—Ike Brannon, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2021
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'urban renewal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1938, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near urban renewal
Cite this Entry
“Urban renewal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20renewal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
urban renewal
noun
: a construction program for replacing or restoring old or run-down buildings in an urban area
More from Merriam-Webster on urban renewal
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about urban renewal
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