What does redevelop mean?
Redevelop means to develop or improve something again, most often a site, building, district, or property that has become outdated, deteriorated, or unsuitable for its former purpose. The word is especially prominent in urban planning and real estate. Redeveloping an abandoned factory might mean replacing it with housing, offices, shops, or public space; redeveloping a historic district may involve restoring older structures while adapting them for contemporary use. Unlike develop, which can describe the initial creation or expansion of something, redevelop emphasizes a second phase of growth or transformation. The related noun redevelopment is used for both the process and, frequently, the resulting district or property. In current usage, redevelop often carries a positive implication of renewal, although its effects depend on the planning decisions and may include the displacement of existing residents or businesses.
verbTo develop or improve something again, especially a site or area that has deteriorated or is to be used for a new purpose.
- To develop or improve a site, building, or area again, especially by adapting it for a new purpose.
- To restore an area or property that has deteriorated.
- To develop or expand something anew after a period of inactivity or decline.
"The council plans to redevelop the former industrial district into a mixed-use neighborhood."
"The former railway station will be redeveloped into apartments and public offices."
"After years of decline, investors began to redevelop the town center."
Urban redevelopment turns yesterday's industrial leftovers into tomorrow's neighborhoods.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redevelop come from?
Redevelop combines the prefix re-, meaning again, with develop, from French développer, ultimately based on Latin dis- and volvere, meaning to unroll or unfold. The prefixed form developed during the nineteenth century for the idea of developing something again. Later, especially in the twentieth century, it became closely associated with the renewal of urban sites and the transformation of obsolete industrial areas.
Related word forms
How redevelop is actually used
Redevelop is especially common in British and US discussions of urban planning, property development, and the renewal of industrial or disused sites. It can suggest not merely repairing an existing property but transforming it through new construction or a new use.
Easily confused with redevelop
Develop means to create, expand, or improve something for the first time, whereas redevelop means to develop something again, often after it has fallen into disuse or become obsolete.