Camp Urbanism and the emergence of the modern slum in 20th century Bombay

Between the 1920s and the 1970s, the slum in Bombay changed in character. Whereas the slum in the earlier period was characterized by insanitary, ill-ventilated, and overcrowded tenements, by the 1970s the slum was seen to consist of makeshift hutments, and was characterized more by its uncertain tenurial status than by its sanitary condition. In seeking to explain this transformation, this paper offers an alternative perspective on the urbanization process in cities like Bombay. Rather than viewing slums as deviations from urban planning’s efforts to secure solid and permanent housing, this paper draws attention to ways in which makeshift and temporary housing were central to the city’s growth.