Shantytown
A settlement made of plywood, metal, plastic and cardboard boxes
Real World Example
A shantytown is a makeshift settlement made from materials like plywood, metal, plastic, and cardboard boxes. In the Developing World from 1945 to the present, shantytowns emerged as cities rapidly expanded and couldn't provide enough housing for everyone. These settlements played a crucial role by offering shelter to those who migrated to cities in search of better opportunities. To the people living there, shantytowns represented both hardship and resilience, as they built communities despite challenging conditions. Today, the spirit of resourcefulness and community found in shantytowns can be seen in the way people create neighborhood support networks, like community gardens in urban areas, to improve their quality of life and foster togetherness.