Slums are densely populated areas that exist outside of officially designated settlement zones. They are characterized by poorly constructed shelters, such as shanties and thatched houses, in a disorderly environment. Typically found on the outskirts of cities, slums are home to impoverished individuals who cannot afford proper housing in urban areas.
Housing in slums is clustered closely together, with little to no space between dwellings. The population in these areas continues to grow due to poverty, unemployment, and the extreme hardships faced by residents. Many people living in slums are there because of harsh economic conditions and their inability to afford housing in more desirable neighbourhoods. The majority of slum dwellers are not only physically poor but also mentally constrained.
Many residents are physically incapacitated or disabled, unable to support themselves. Families often move to slums due to their inability to meet their daily needs and pay annual rent in better accommodations. Living in a slum can be demoralizing, especially for children, due to the negative impact and discomfort experienced during heavy rainfall, when roofs are blown away and buildings collapse due to poor construction materials and structural imbalance.
Residents live in fear, particularly at night when their daughters may be at risk of being kidnapped, raped, or worse. The possibility of the government demolishing their homes and rendering them homeless is a constant source of anxiety. While life in the slum may be inexpensive, the disadvantages far outweigh any benefits.
The lack of government intervention to improve the living conditions of slum residents is more troubling than the slums themselves.
Characteristics of Slum
Unsanitary Conditions: A slum environment is characterized by poor sanitation practices, resulting in a dirty and unhealthy living environment.
Disorganized Housing: Inadequate planning in slum areas leads to scattered houses without proper safety measures, causing confusion and daily crises.
Criminal Activities: Slums often attract criminals like armed robbers and kidnappers due to a lack of security and policing, making them a haven for criminal activities.
Lack of Infrastructure: Slum residents are neglected in terms of basic facilities, leading to them being considered outcasts. They often settle in unauthorized areas, relying on illegal electricity connections from neighbouring communities.
Medical Quackery: Slum areas are plagued by medical quackery, resulting in high rates of abortion-related deaths. Residents often protect perpetrators, hindering justice.
Kidnapping Hideouts: Slums serve as hideouts for kidnappers, making it difficult for security forces to investigate and rescue victims due to the lack of evidence.
Unsafe Housing: The poorly constructed houses in slums pose a risk of collapse, endangering the lives of residents.
Overpopulation: Impoverished individuals tend to overcrowd slum areas.
Limited Water Access: Due to the scarcity of clean water, slum areas often rely on neighbouring communities for their water supply.
Low Literacy Rates: Illiteracy is prevalent among residents of impoverished neighbourhoods, hindering their ability to plan for relocation to more suitable city areas.