Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
WordNet
n. the clearing and rebuilding and redevelopment of urban slums
Wikipedia
Urban renewal, which is generally called urban regeneration ("regeneration" in the United Kingdom), "revitalization" in the United States, is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of reconstruction. The process has had a major impact on many urban landscapes, and has played an important role in the history and demographics of cities around the world.
Urban renewal involves the relocation of businesses, the demolition of structures, the relocation of people, and the use of eminent domain (government purchase of property for public purpose) as a legal instrument to take private property for city-initiated development projects. This process is also carried out in rural areas, referred to as village renewal, though it may not be exactly the same in practice.
In some cases, renewal may result in urban sprawl and less congestion when areas of cities receive freeways and expressways.
Urban renewal has been seen by proponents as an economic engine and a reform mechanism, and by critics as a mechanism for control. It may enhance existing communities, and in some cases result in the demolition of neighborhoods.
Many cities link the revitalization of the central business district and gentrification of residential neighborhoods to earlier urban renewal programs. Over time, urban renewal evolved into a policy based less on destruction and more on renovation and investment, and today is an integral part of many local governments, often combined with small and big business incentives.
Urban Renewal is a tribute album to singer Phil Collins, released in 2001 in most European markets and in 2003 in the United States, containing remakes of his songs by R&B and hip hop performers. Collins remarked:
Although the album itself was not a worldwide success, only charting in Germany at number three, individual singles from the album performed well in various markets, including " Another Day in Paradise" as performed by Brandy and Ray J and " In the Air Tonite" as performed by rapper Lil' Kim. A remake by Deborah Cox, " Something Happened on the Way to Heaven", was later released as a dance remix on her 2003 album, Remixed. It reached number one on the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart and peaked at ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2006, Q magazine listed Urban Renewal as No. 3 in their list of the 50 worst albums ever.
Urban Renewal is a Tower of Power album recorded in 1974 and released in 1975. It's also the last album to feature lead singer Lenny Williams, who would leave to continue a successful solo career. Plus drummer David Garibaldi left temporarily, although he does appear on the song "Willing To Learn" which was the first single released on the album. David Bartlett takes the reins as drummer for this album. Also conga player Brent Byars left after the previous album Back to Oakland, with Carter Collins taking over for him on this album.
Urban Renewal is the sixth studio album by Funk, Inc., released in 1995.
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use.
Urban Renewal may also refer to:
- Urban Renewal (tribute album), a tribute album to Phil Collins
- Urban Renewal (Funk, Inc. album)
- Urban Renewal (Tower of Power album)
Usage examples of "urban renewal".
A good example of the majority viewpoint shows up in the housing situation, which at the moment is inextricably linked with urban renewal.
Both had disappeared during urban renewal (Henry knew all about this.
Like any city, Seattle had some open civic sores despite persistent urban renewal.
The land where Donovan International and the Donovan condo had been built was part of an urban renewal project.
Civil war as urban renewal: the creaky old fortified mansion which had formerly occupied the space had been so damaged in the Pretender's War that the previous Count and his son, when they'd returned to the city with Aral Vorkosigan's victorious forces, had decided to knock it flat and start over.
Tomorrow we are marching to celebrate the first urban renewal project in history and the only one that is known to be an unqualified success.
I think all those liberals that like projects like urban renewal ought to be on the streets with us.
It also included the old downtown shopping district, which had been badly in need of some really devastating urban renewal for quite some time.
Just recently the urban renewal had come in the form of the Boulevard Mall, a brand-new pseudoadobe structure built on the bulldozed graves of more traditional retail outlets.
But Fairhaven was in the perfect position to buy the land and tear down the buildings, all in the name of urban renewal.
The old man led the boy down SW Third Avenue to the South Auditorium Urban Renewal District, where a building was being demolished with no barricades or chain-link fencing around it.