Urban slums informal settlements – UGC NET Question

Slums are characterised by overcrowding,insecure tenure and inadequate access to basic services like water and sanitation. They emerge when urbanisation outpaces formal housing and infrastructure provision. The stem’s description of unplanned settlements lacking basic services corresponds directly to slums. Therefore this is the correct term.

Option A:
Suburbs are residential areas on the outskirts of cities,which may have good infrastructure and planned layouts. They are not defined by lack of services or informality,so they do not match the conditions described in the question.

Option B:
Gated communities are typically well planned residential enclaves designed for higher income groups. They usually have better than average access to services and security,which is the opposite of what the stem indicates.

Option C:
Slums are often situated on marginal lands and can be highly vulnerable to environmental hazards such as floods and landslides. Their growth reflects both urban poverty and inadequate planning,exactly as the question suggests.

Option D:
Exurbs are low density settlements beyond the suburbs,often inhabited by commuters. They are not necessarily informal or service deprived,so this term does not fit the scenario in the stem.