- Urban blight
- An international problem


[SLIDE 1]

Urban blight is the process by which a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude. Many urban areas have experienced dramatic changes over the years from people moving in and out of the area, segregation by culture, changes in race and affluence, as well as fluctuating economic conditions. 

Urban blight persists around most cities in the United States. Even if the city itself is well maintained, surrounding areas are not.


[SLIDE 2]

Urban blight is an international problem and much worse in developing countries. 

In Kenya, for example, there are massive shanty towns outside the capital of Nairobi with over 2 million people. Shantytowns and slums are unauthorized and do not have basic electricity, water or sanitation. Violent crime is common and security non-existent. People living in these areas also need jobs, struggle to make ends meet, and are often uneducated.