Today we are walking inside one of Shenzhen's urban villages. Urban villages (so called "slums") in China and Shenzhen are densely populated areas that originated from rural settlements engulfed by the city's rapid urbanization. These villages are characterized by "handshake" buildings, narrow alleys, and a mix of residential and commercial spaces. They provide affordable housing for migrant workers and newcomers.br br Many of these villages are planned to be demolished in the future and typically lack proper urban planning and infrastructure. Despite challenges, they have a lot of habitants and offer economic opportunities.