Slums

An interesting article from the National Geographic about slums in Mumbai:: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0705/feature3/


I remember we were discussing how to define the term "slum" in class. I believe that it is hard to draw a precise definition for it, as slums differs from region to region, I have found sth online which seems to be interesting (and also cleared out a bit of misconception about slums)

The United Nations agency UN-HABITAT defines a slum as a heavily populated urban area characterised by substandard housing and squalor. The term traditionally referred to housing areas that were once respectable but which deteriorated as the original dwellers moved on to newer and better parts of the city, but has come to include the vast informal settlements found in cities in the developing world. The word comes from "back slum," meaning back room and later "back alley."

Although their characteristics vary between geographic regions, they are usually inhabited by the very poor or socially disadvantaged. Slum buildings vary from simple shacks to permanent and well-maintained structures. Most slums lack clean water, electricity, sanitation and other basic services.

Slums may be distinguished from ghettos in that ghetto refers to a neighborhood based on shared ethinicty. Other terms which are sometimes used interchangeably with slum include favela and shantytowns.

Question:
Can slums be ghetto as well or vice versa?