The great majority of Baghdad is a slum - a lot of it's new, but it's still slum. It's usually this concrete-block, one-room design with a door and a window, arranged one-up, one-down, often with a shop with nothing in it on the first floor, and then a one-room apartment above it. There's street after street after street of that stuff.

The quote "The great majority of Baghdad is a slum - a lot of it's new, but it's still slum. It's usually this concrete-block, one-room design with a door and a window, arranged one-up, one-down, often with a shop with nothing in it on the first floor, and then a one-room apartment above it. There's street after street after street of that stuff" by P. J. O'Rourke describes his impression of the urban landscape in Baghdad, emphasizing the disparity between the city's rapid development and its ongoing poverty and underdevelopment. O'Rourke, a political satirist and journalist, uses the term "slum" to convey the harsh, basic living conditions that many residents of the city face, despite the newness of some buildings.

The reference to concrete-block construction reflects the utilitarian and often crude nature of the buildings in Baghdad. These buildings, often designed with a single room for living and a shop on the first floor, represent a simplistic approach to housing, which O'Rourke describes as inadequate for meeting the needs of the city's population. His description paints a picture of overcrowding and lack of infrastructure, suggesting that even newly built structures in Baghdad lack the necessary qualities of a developed city, such as space, organization, and adequate facilities.

O'Rourke's focus on the repetitive nature of these one-room apartments—streets filled with buildings that are structurally similar and often incomplete—highlights the lack of diversity in urban development. Despite the appearance of newness, the city remains stuck in a cycle of poverty and basic construction. This imagery emphasizes how the city’s growth may be more superficial, with limited attention to creating livable, fully developed spaces for its residents.

Ultimately, O'Rourke’s quote illustrates the economic and architectural challenges facing Baghdad at the time. His commentary suggests that while there may be visible growth and new structures, the city still struggles with fundamental issues of poverty, overcrowding, and insufficient planning. By using the term “slum,” O'Rourke underscores the disparity between appearances and reality, highlighting the gaps in urban development and the lack of quality living conditions for many residents.