Measures Taken To Improve Slum Dwellers

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A sixth of the world’s population lives in informal settlements, also known as slums. They live in unsanitary conditions and the population densities in these slums range from 300000 to 400000 people per square kilometer. This is higher than the densest city in the world, Manila, which has a density of 43079 people per square kilometer. Living in such undeveloped places bring about poor living conditions and I define poor living conditions as having no proper sanitation, electricity and piped water. Governments around the world have taken measures to improve these conditions but not all measures are successful and well received by the residents. One measure taken is building government housing. The government builds high-rise apartments for the slum dwellers. With proper housing, slum dwellers can have a sanitary place to live in and also, they will be able to have access to electricity and piped water. It also brings about employment opportunities as the slum dwellers can work as construction workers building these apartment blocks. However, with public housing, the inhabitants would have to pay for rent. Although the rent would be minimal, some slum dwellers could be so poor they cannot even afford it. These apartments are usually built at the outskirts of the city too. Many slums are located close to sources of employment and slum dwellers are already accustomed to living in a close-knit social community so they might be unwilling to move. The Kenyan government is currently relocating slum dwellers in Kibera to 3 bedroom flats free of charge, but residents have to pay for rent and utilities monthly. Many Kenyans are excited to be moving in to a house where they would have access to clean water and with a house, they have security over their future. This would be an upgrade from their current 12 ft sq shack. Currently, only 20% of the population in Kibera has

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