Shantytown: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a poorly built area on the outskirts of a city, where many people live in makeshift housing.

• The edge of the city was lined with a sprawling shantytown
• Despite the harsh living conditions, the residents of the shantytown formed a close-knit community

Refers to a densely populated urban area characterized by substandard housing and squalor. Often used when discussing poverty and poor living conditions.

• The NGO is working to provide clean water and sanitation facilities in the city's slums
• Many families in the slum struggle to survive on a daily basis

Often used to describe an area where a specific minority group is segregated and lives in poverty. It can have a negative connotation due to its historical and social implications.

• She grew up in a ghetto but managed to overcome many obstacles to achieve success
• The ghetto was characterized by overcrowded apartments and lack of resources

A neutral, technical term used to describe areas where housing is not legally recognized by the authorities. It emphasizes the lack of formal housing planning and infrastructure.

• The government's new policy aims to improve living conditions in informal settlements
• Residents of informal settlements often face difficulties accessing basic services