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shantytown

settlement
Also known as: callampa, rancho

Quick Summary

A shantytown is a settlement, typically in a poor area of a town, where people live in makeshift dwellings called shanties. These settlements often arise due to rapid urbanization and rural-to-urban migration, leading to a housing shortage in cities.1234

Shantytowns are characterized by informal housing and a lack of basic infrastructure, such as roads and sanitation. They are often found on the outskirts of cities and are sometimes referred to as squatter settlements or informal settlements. While often viewed as marginal, inhabitants of shantytowns develop strong social networks for mutual support. Examples include the favelas in Brazil.34

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