Citified: meaning, definitions and examples
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citified
[ˈsɪtəfaɪd ]
Definition
urban development
The term 'citified' refers to something that has characteristics or qualities of a city. This can include both physical changes in the landscape as urban areas expand and cultural changes as city living influences lifestyle and social interactions. The term often implies a contrast with rural or less densely populated areas. Citified spaces may have amenities typical of urban life, such as public transportation, shopping centers, and diverse communities.
Synonyms
city-like, metropolitan, urbanized.
Examples of usage
- The citified environment offers a wide array of cultural attractions.
- Her citified fashion sense was inspired by trends seen in major cities.
- The countryside is slowly becoming more citified with new developments.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term combines 'city' and the suffix '-fied', which indicates transformation or change.
- The word emerged more prominently in the 20th century as urban areas began to expand rapidly.
- Initially used to describe rural areas that lost their characteristics by being developed into cities.
Urban Development
- Citification often involves the process of gentrification, where wealthier individuals move into an area, leading to changes in its character.
- This transformation can bring both opportunities for economic growth and challenges for existing residents.
- It reflects broader trends like urbanization, where more people live and work in city areas rather than rural settings.
Cultural Impact
- As areas become more citified, local cultures may blend, leading to a mix of traditions and lifestyles.
- The term is often used in discussions about the impact of global culture on local communities.
- Citified places may struggle to retain their original culture, leading to 'cultural homogenization' where unique identities are lost.
Environmental Considerations
- With increased citification, issues like pollution and decreased green spaces often arise.
- Cities must adapt to handle the environmental impacts of their growth, such as waste management and energy usage.
- Urban planners focus on making citified areas more sustainable through green architecture and public transport solutions.
Psychology
- Living in citified environments can influence social behavior, leading to a sense of anonymity among residents.
- Studies show that urban living can impact mental health, with both positive social interactions and negative stressors.
- Individuals in citified areas may experience 'urban overload', leading to fatigue or disconnect from nature.