The "barrens" are the areas of a city (or metroplex) that have become crime-ridden, wastelands, or simply abandoned by law-conscious citizens. They are typically occupied by squatters, ghouls, shadowrunners, and other SINless populations. In Seattle, the Puyallup Barrens and Redmond Barrens are well-known places for crime, gangs, and lawlessness.
Places comparable with these wellknown barrens are the Rox in Boston, the Noose with the Shattergraves in Chicago or El Infierno in Los Angeles.
In the Allied German States there are the "Rhine Hessen Barrens" around the city of Biblis.