I. Definition of slums
The definition of slums is very vague. The United Nations defines slums as shelters for the poor with the worst living conditions, the most unsanitary environment and the highest crime rate and drug abuse rate. Ben Dix said, "Their situation is different." In the slums of Caracas, the housing here is very solid, but the crime rate is higher than other places, which is lawless.
Since it first appeared in the 1920s, the word slum has been used to refer to the worst living conditions and the most unsanitary environment. Slums are shelters for marginal activities, including crime, prostitution and even infectious diseases. It is a source of infection, which may lead to various infectious diseases ravaging urban areas. It's a place that has nothing to do with integrity and health.
Second, the causes of slums
Slums are usually formed by poor cities with slow development. The backward facilities in remote areas, the low level of social and cultural development, and the lack of contrast between supply and demand in the labor market make the poor people trapped in poverty and slowly solidify, eventually forming a large-scale poor group. It is also difficult for the poor to emigrate because it is difficult for them to participate in education, buy new energy and bear the costs.
Secondly, in poor cities, cheap housing can attract low-income families, who can only make a living by applying for subsidies from the government or stealing or selling them. The poor can't improve their living environment because of lack of funds. So now slums are widely used, forming a phenomenon that breeds poverty.
Reasons for the existence of slums
I. Population migration
Since 1950s, the proportion of agricultural population in developing countries has decreased by 20% to 30%. Most immigrants from poor cities come to cities voluntarily from rural areas in order to explore real or imagined economic opportunities. Part of the economic opportunities are brought by the development of urban informal sector.
Second, poverty.
About 50% of the world's population lives in urban areas, 32% in slums and 43% in slums in developing countries. It is important to remember that although not all these people live in urban slums, in 20 13, 50% of the people in the world lived on less than two dollars a day. The UN-HABITAT report found that "the efficiency of poverty alleviation is disappointing for two reasons.
Third, the housing problem.
The lack of security of residence right is one of the main reasons for the existence of slums. The right to live is not guaranteed, and slum dwellers have no way or motivation to improve their living environment. The guarantee of residence right is often a prerequisite for obtaining other economic and social opportunities, including trust, public services and employment opportunities.