CARDBOARD CITY Meaning and
Definition
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Cardboard city refers to a temporary settlement or community in an urban area that is constructed primarily out of discarded cardboard boxes or other makeshift materials. This term is often used to describe the living conditions of homeless individuals or marginalized groups who lack access to proper housing or shelter. The term "cardboard city" can also be used to represent the larger issue of homelessness and the challenges faced by those living on the streets.
These settlements are typically found in open spaces, such as under bridges, alongside railway tracks, or in empty lots within the city. The dwellings in cardboard cities are constructed by stacking and arranging cardboard boxes to form makeshift shelters. These structures offer minimal protection from the elements and are vulnerable to environmental factors such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.
Cardboard cities often lack basic amenities such as running water, electricity, and sanitation facilities, further exacerbating the living conditions of those residing within them. They are frequently associated with poverty, social exclusion, and socioeconomic inequality.
The term "cardboard city" is an evocative description that highlights the fragile and impermanent nature of these makeshift settlements. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need for social welfare initiatives, affordable housing, and support systems to address the root causes and consequences of homelessness in urban areas.
Common Misspellings for CARDBOARD CITY
- xardboard city
- vardboard city
- fardboard city
- dardboard city
- czrdboard city
- csrdboard city
- cwrdboard city
- cqrdboard city
- caedboard city
- caddboard city
- cafdboard city
- catdboard city
- ca5dboard city
- ca4dboard city
- carsboard city
- carxboard city
- carcboard city
- carfboard city
- carrboard city
- careboard city
Etymology of CARDBOARD CITY
The term "cardboard city" is a colloquial term used to describe a makeshift homeless settlement or community consisting of cardboard boxes or other makeshift shelters. The etymology of the term is fairly transparent, with "cardboard" referring to the material used for the shelters and "city" referring to the fact that these settlements often arise within urban areas.
The usage of "cardboard city" began to gain prominence during the 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom, when there was a visible increase in homelessness. The term was widely used to describe the makeshift communities that developed in urban areas, where individuals and families who were unable to afford housing resorted to using cardboard boxes as a temporary shelter.
The term has since gained broader usage and can be found in other countries as well. It reflects the basic conditions and materials used by those who find themselves without a home and the struggle they face in finding a safe place to live.
Idioms with the word CARDBOARD CITY
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cardboard city
A makeshift shelter or community made up of cardboard boxes and other scavenged materials, typically occupied by homeless individuals.
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