The slums are the urban settlements of a population with very low resources. These are known by various names depending on the country; some denominations are marginal neighborhood, slum, favela or ghetto.
These irregular settlements may have been generated by multiple causes, although in most cases their main trigger is the peasant exodus.
A belt of misery is characterized by having a population with very few economic resources, which leads to several consequences, such as lack of access to basic services (drinking water, gas, electricity), unsanitary conditions and marginalization on the part of society.
characteristics
Over the years, the inhabitants of the rural areas of the world have moved to the better located cities and towns, in order to raise the level of their living conditions.
However, not having enough resources, they decided to settle in areas that border the main cities, often illegally; that is, without having legal power over the invaded lands.
This phenomenon has caused a snowball effect. A belt of misery is often the cradle for criminal activities, mafias and drug trafficking.
If to this is added the lack of basic services, sources of employment and education, it is possible to observe how difficult it becomes for the population of these sectors to climb social strata, which means that the number of inhabitants of the poorest areas of the world is constantly increasing.
Relevant data
Currently, between 15 and 20% of the world's population (more than a billion) lives in an area considered marginal, in conditions of dubious health, without access to many essential resources.
It is estimated that in the next 20 years this percentage will double, further highlighting the abysmal differences between social classes.
In some countries, such as Brazil, you can see the difference between the standard of living of the slums with respect to the higher social classes.
In Rio de Janeiro, one of the most touristic cities in the world, the poor settlements called "favelas" are just meters from luxury hotels and condominiums.
It is common for these properties to be separated from the favelas by concrete walls.
Causes
The first misery belts arose from the inequality of social classes. Driven to pursue better life chances, the poorest inhabitants rushed to the cities and settled around them.
Different factors are the causes of the appearance of the belts of misery today, but in general the lack of economic resources (sometimes the result of the negligence of governments) and the excess of population in urban areas are the main reasons.
Other causes are:
- Inequality.
- Corruption.
- Population growth.
- Peasant exodus.
- Immigration.
Consequences
The main consequences are the deprivation of hundreds of millions of people to decent living conditions, basic services, education and, in general, quality of life. Other notable consequences are:
- Social margination.
- Proliferation of criminal activities.
- Death and illness (due to lack of access to health services).
References
- Victor Velasquez (nd). The rural exodus and the belts of misery. Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from Monographs.
- El Caracazo (February 27, 2016). Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from Report 21.
- Khushboo Sheth (April 25, 2017). What Are Shanty Towns, And Where Are They Found? Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from World Atlas.
- Causes and Effects of Poverty (nd). Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from Cliffs Notes.
- Liliana Rehorn (July 2, 2014). Effects of Poverty. Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from Borgen Project.
- Belt of misery reaches one billion (May 31, 2009). Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from El Nuevo Diario.
- Belts of Misery (March 3, 1989). Retrieved on September 23, 2017, from El País.