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informal settlement

[ɪnˈfɔːrməl ˈsetəlmənt]
nounpl: informal settlements
assentamento informal
1. A residential area that develops outside formal urban planning and zoning regulations, typically characterized by improvised housing structures and lack of basic services
The city's rapid growth led to the expansion of informal settlements on the outskirts.
O rápido crescimento da cidade levou à expansão de assentamentos informais nas periferias.
2. A community of dwellings built without legal permission or formal government planning
Many families in informal settlements lack access to clean water and electricity.
Muitas famílias em assentamentos informais não têm acesso a água potável e eletricidade.
NYC Slang
projects; ghetto; hood (colloquial, though potentially offensive)
Synonyms
slumsquatter settlementshantytownfavelaprecarious settlementunplanned settlement
Antonyms
planned communityformal residential areaauthorized developmentgated community

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
assentamento informal
Standard academic and governmental term
Rio de Janeiro
favela
Local colloquial term, widely used and recognized
São Paulo
comunidade
Common colloquial alternative to assentamento informal
Portugal
bairro degradado
Portuguese equivalent referring to degraded neighborhoods

Related Idioms & Phrases

living on the wrong side of the tracks
substandard housing
inadequate shelter
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