What characterizes a slum?

A slum is characterized as a district marked by poverty and inferior living conditions. This can be seen in various aspects, such as inadequate housing, lack of basic services (like clean water and sanitation), overcrowding, and limited access to employment opportunities and education.

Slums often arise due to rapid urbanization and economic inequality, where large populations migrate to cities in search of better opportunities but end up living in substandard conditions. The physical environment in slums tends to be poorly constructed and maintained, further contributing to the overall low quality of life for residents. Such areas are typically not well served by infrastructure and public services, which exacerbates the challenges faced by the inhabitants.

Prosperous urban areas and well-planned suburban neighborhoods reflect higher living standards, contrasting sharply with the circumstances found in slums. Similarly, tourist hotspots are designed to attract visitors and usually feature amenities and services that are not present in slum areas. Thus, the defining traits of a slum relate directly to poverty and substandard living conditions, making the selection of this response particularly appropriate.