shantytowns

Shantytowns are informal settlements composed of makeshift dwellings constructed from inexpensive or repurposed materials like wood, metal, or plastic. Often found on the outskirts of cities, they emerge when rapid urban migration outpaces affordable housing, leaving residents with limited legal or financial resources. These communities typically lack basic services such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, and proper infrastructure, leading to challenging living conditions. Shantytowns highlight issues of economic inequality and urban planning, and while they provide shelter for many, they often face problems related to health, safety, and social stability.