noun phrase · neutral
urban decay
UK/ˈɜːbən dɪˈkeɪ/US/ˈɜrbən dɪˈkeɪ/UR·ban de·CAY
The process where city areas fall into disrepair and become run-down.
Examples
“Many inner suburbs suffer from urban decay after factories close.”
“Local groups want to prevent urban decay by improving public spaces.”
“Urban decay often leads to higher crime rates and fewer services.”
Band 8 sentence
“The council's failure to address urban decay has left whole streets abandoned and hollowed out economically.”
Collocations
- prevent urban decay
- areas of urban decay
- combat urban decay
Word family
Common mistakes
a urban decay→urban decay
make urban decay→cause urban decay
Say it for a higher band
5run-down areas→6deteriorating areas→7+urban decay
Synonyms
urban deterioration
Easily confused
gentrification process
“The gentrification process often displaces long-term residents.”
Related words
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In City & Urban life
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