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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Popul Dev Rev. 2015 Mar 17;41(1):59–84. doi: 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2015.00026.x

TABLE 2.

Slum definitions in detail

Characteristic Census NFHS UN – at least one or more Committee – all four
Legality

  1. All specified areas in a town or city notified as “Slum by State/Local Government and UT Administration under any Act including a “Slum Act”; and/or

  2. All areas recognized as “Slum by State/Local Government and UT Administration, Housing and Slum Boards, which may have not been formally notified as slum under any act

 NAi NAii NA
Density A compact area of at least 300 population or about 60–70 households A compact area of at least 300 population or about 60–70 households Insufficient living areaiii NA
House Poorly built congested tenements in unhygienic environment usually with inadequate infrastructure Poorly built congested tenements in unhygienic environment usually with inadequate infrastructure Non-durable housing;iv lack of a permanent structure providing protection from extreme climate conditions Predominant material of roof is anything other than concrete
Water Lacking proper drinking water facilities Lacking proper drinking water facilities Lack of access to improved waterv that is sufficient, affordable, and attained without extreme effort Available drinking water source not be available within the premisesvi
Sanitation Lacking in proper sanitary facilities Lacking in proper sanitary facilities Lack of access to improved sanitation facilitiesvii Household does not have an latrine facility within the premises (e.g. members use either a public latrine or no latrine) and does not have closed drainageviii