slum clearance

noun
UK /slʌm ˈklɪərəns/
US /slʌm ˈklɪrəns/

Slum clearance is when old, unsafe houses in a poor area are knocked down.

The city began slum clearance to replace the crumbling houses with new homes.

SYNONYMS

urban renewalredevelopmentdemolitionclearanceregeneration

RELATED WORDS

housingpovertydemolitionrehousingcity planning

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The process of removing poor-quality housing to make room for new buildings.

Slum clearance changed the look of the whole neighborhood.

3. A government program that tears down run-down homes and moves people elsewhere.

Many families were moved during the slum clearance program.

4. The act of emptying an area of unsafe buildings.

Slum clearance took several years to finish.