Informal settlements, also known as slums, shantytowns, or squatter settlements, are areas where people live in inadequate and often unsafe housing conditions. These settlements are typically characterized by poor access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, and healthcare. Informal settlements are often located on the outskirts of cities or in areas prone to natural disasters. Research on informal settlements focuses on understanding the challenges faced by residents, such as high rates of poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and vulnerability to environmental hazards. Scholars also examine strategies to improve living conditions in informal settlements, including infrastructure development, community empowerment, and policies to address housing affordability and land tenure issues. Overall, research on informal settlements seeks to address the complex and interconnected social, economic, and political issues that contribute to the perpetuation of poverty and marginalization in these urban areas.