Slums and squatter settlements are an essential facet of the urban landscape of most countries, more so that of the developing countries. They are also somewhat of a paradox in themselves. They are both: (i) a manifestation of urban poverty, and (ii) a reflection of the economic pull of urban areas. The definition of a slum varies from country to country, depending on the cultural mores and economic conditions. Slums are residential areas of least choice, characterized by dilapidated houses, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, poor sanitation, lack of clean drinking water, overcrowding, convoluted street patterns, fire and flood hazards, poor facilities for education and health, unhygienic living conditions causing air and waterborne diseases. Socially, they are characterized by drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism, escapism, apathy and social isolation (Haggett et al., 1981; Census of India, 2001). In India, slums have been defined under Section 3 of the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1956, as areas where buildings are unfit for human habitation by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement and design of such buildings, narrowness or faulty arrangement of streets, lack of ventilation, light, sanitation facilities or any combination of these factors which are detrimental to safety, health and morals.