What does the term 'redlining' refer to in real estate?

The term 'redlining' specifically refers to the practice of refusing to provide real estate services, such as mortgage lending or insurance, to residents based on the geographical area in which they reside. Historically, this practice involved the use of maps that outlined certain neighborhoods, often predominantly minority communities, in red ink to indicate areas that were deemed high-risk for investment by banks and lenders. As a result, those living in these areas faced systemic barriers to accessing home loans and insurance, which perpetuated segregation and economic disparity.

This definition captures the essence of redlining as a discriminatory practice that undermines equal access to housing and financing options, contributing to broader social and economic inequities. The other options focus on different aspects of real estate and urban planning, which do not pertain to the discriminatory nature and implications of redlining.