Article Abstract index4

Slums are urban areas where a large number of people live in congested conditions with substandard housing and insufficient access to essential amenities, reflecting a low level of socioeconomic development. Rapid urbanization and population growth in developing countries have led to the expansion of slums. The present study examines the living condition of slum dwellers in small town with special reference to Katwa Municipality. Slum areas are gradually expanding. Therefore, slums studies at local scale in one of the crucial aspects of a town for the sustainable and overall development of a city. It is essential to ensure improved housing conditions in slum areas and to enhance the living standards of slum dwellers. To assess the living conditions of slum dwellers, several parameters have been considered in this study, including housing infrastructure, health facilities, education, latrine facilities, cooking fuel, drinking water, health, occupational structure. Katwa Municipality consist of 20 wards. Out of the total 20 wards of this Municipality, 54 slums are distributed across all wards except ward no 18. The total of 8817 households are found in the slum areas. This study is based on primary data collected through field survey and secondary data obtained from various sources. Primary data were collected through a semi –structured questionnaire following a random sampling technique. The overall condition is moderately poor. Sustainable improvement is possible only with the active involvement of local government bodies, enhanced support from NGOs, and greater awareness among slum dwellers.
Keywords: Urbanization, Slum, Slum Dwellers, Katwa Town, Basic Amenities, Living Condition