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Key points

• Like MEDCs, cities in LEDCS have a central business district. It contains similar features like shops, hotels, offices, and leisure facilities.
• Conditions in towns and cities can be poor. Some of the worst conditions are in the squatter settlements or shanty towns.
• Squatter settlements tend to be unplanned and illegal, and overcrowding and poor healthcare can lead to the spread of disease.
• In many LEDCs, local communities, charities and governments work together to improve conditions.
• People are given low interest loans to build their own houses, and self help schemes give people the tools and training to improve their homes.
• Investment in rural areas helps improve the quality of life, so less people need to migrate to urban areas.

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