Final answer:
A Historic District is a designated area containing buildings of special architectural or historical significance, preserved through zoning regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An area containing a group of buildings of special architectural or historical significance, which a local authority may designate, is known as a Historic District. This type of district is part of a city's zoning regulations, which ensure that certain features of these architecturally or historically important areas are preserved.
In cities like Los Angeles, the adaptive reuse of buildings in downtown's Gallery District exemplifies how gentrification efforts can revitalize historic areas, in some cases displacing the original community but also potentially breathing new life into urban spaces.