New York slums

Definition

New York slums were densely populated neighborhoods characterized by extreme poverty and inadequate living conditions during the late 19th century. These areas suffered from overcrowding, substandard housing, unsanitary environments, high crime rates, and limited access to basic amenities.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process whereby cities grow in size and population due to rural-to-urban migration and the concentration of economic activities.

Tenement housing: Multi-family apartment buildings, often overcrowded and lacking adequate amenities, that were prevalent in urban areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Gentrification: The transformation of low-income or deteriorated neighborhoods into more affluent areas through renovation, investment, or redevelopment.