Urban Poverty and Slum Development — Definition

Definition

Urban poverty is deprivation in income, housing, services and practical opportunity within an urban setting. Slum development addresses settlement conditions such as inadequate infrastructure, insecure tenure and unsafe or overcrowded housing, while recognising residents' livelihoods and social networks.

The two concepts overlap but are not identical: poor households also live outside identified slums, and residents within a settlement can have different circumstances. An effective response connects shelter with employment, transport, water, sanitation and participation.

A new dwelling is not necessarily affordable if its location increases travel costs or prevents residents from retaining the work on which they depend.