But it presupposes a recognition of the validity of ways of life that are developing at the opposite ends of the city and the world. Furthermore, poverty as a social phenomenon rarely occurs in pure form. Especially not in cities and especially not when it affects a majority of the population. In a situation of majority poverty, poverty encompasses elements of all social groups and categories. We could say that not all the poor are poor.
Urban poverty can become culturally dominant, hegemonic.
It is not confined to shanty towns, to informal urbanisation. It is often more intense in the central districts and old colonial quarters of cities. It is present in all the working-class districts, whatever their status. It is not even absent from the affluent districts, where it manifests itself in the service of or as a threat to the rich. It is found at all levels of public life and affects the behaviour of every member of society.