Vol. 2, Issue 5, Part P (2016)

Abstract
It outlines how urbanization has led to a significant increase in slum populations due to insufficient housing from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The study highlights the persistent issue of slums in Indian megacities, with Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai facing substantial slum growth due to factors like migration and agricultural instability. Using data from the 2001 Census, the paper describes the demographics and socioeconomic conditions of Ahmedabad’s slums, comparing them to other cities in Gujarat and India at large. The paper presents detailed statistical data on slum populations and growth trends, underscoring the linkage between urban expansion and slum proliferation. Key findings include the relatively high percentage of Ahmedabad's urban population living in slums, and the city's demographic challenges, such as a notably low female-to-male ratio. The study also discusses governmental and municipal responses to slum conditions, which include relocation initiatives and infrastructure improvements, though it critiques these efforts as insufficient.