-TJ- Shanty Town

Tijuana Shanty Town

Shanty Towns are normally ‘not permitted’ settlements or communities. The structures are improvised types of structures. Built, put together or set up with materials such as scrap plywood, corrugated metal and even sheets of plastic. Shanty towns, are often found in or close to major cities as a tactic to utilize urban resources. Often they do not have the proper sanitation, electricity, or telephone services. Shanty Towns tend to lack even the basic services that are present in more formally organized settlements and communities. This includes an added danger with the absence of policing, medical services and fire fighting. Fires are a particular danger for shanty towns because of the close proximity of buildings and flammability of materials used in construction. Shanty towns usually have a high rates of crime, suicide, drug use, and disease.

In Tijuana the Shanty Towns can be found; One near the docks, one in the industrial area, and one that moves every four to six months under the major thruway. These communities support those who are seeking the dreams of finding better work. Most often those who dwell here have moved from the countryside hoping for a better life in the city. People simply can’t afford better housing closer then this to the city.

Shanty town in Tijuana: the buildings are made of wood, meant for temporary residence. Also, the town is bisected by this very polluted river which children are forced to play around.

[Shanty Town ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanty_town )]