Urbanization

Most people in the world will live in cities in the next 20 years. There are more opportunities to find work in the city than in the countryside. This attracts poor people who want to improve their lives, and create a better future for their children. A lack of housing is one of the biggest problems in cities in developing countries. To make up for the lack of available homes, newcomers often set up temporary shelters on the outskirts of cities. It is in these temporary shelters that the problems of urbanization arise. These crowded neighborhoods don't have electricity, running water, a sewerage system, roads, and other things people need to stay healthy. Because the conditions of their homes are so bad, these communities are called shantytowns and slums.