Post by Aceron on Sept 2, 2013 0:27:18 GMT -8
First of all, the Intybus slums are not entirely slums. Average residential areas tend to fade seamlessly into slum territory, causing both income groups to be lumped together. As such, some areas that are considered 'slummy' actually turn out to be clean and well-maintained, while some middle-income districts merely look slumtastic because no one's bothered to give the place a proper hosing.
In short, both areas have a tendency to look the same: densely-packed and not well-organized.
With no real pavement, most of the roads are just plain dirt, which quickly turns to mud and scum whenever it rains... which is often. To deal with it, the locals have merely placed raised stones to act as walkways whenever the streets flood or puddle deeply. Also, in lieu of actual street lights (some parts have no access to electricity or clean water), small trash fires serve as temporary hubs for hobos and residents when it's not raining.
Roads are narrow and usually congested during the day. Not all areas have access to power or clean water, so residents make daily treks to the local wells and public markets for regular survival.
Police presence is also questionable. The local police who tend to the slums are often corrupt, and can be bought off or bribed when caught for perceived offenses. Unfortunately, for many residents, this typically results in jailtime regardless, as most people living in the slums don't actually have any substantial money. As such, nobody likes the cops.
Drainage fortunately is not a huge problem. Due to eons of terraforming rains, even the slums have a highly developed system of aboveground sewage runs that efficiently sluice excess moisture back into the Fridaus bay. However, since most of the slum residents also rely on the bay for cleaning and bathing... well, nobody's perfect. They just try to wash upstream and hope for the best.
The city is largely 60% slum/residency. Sooner or later, things will change...
Image by Eddie Del Rio.