Search

This research study was conducted on socio-economic conditions of families living in squatter’s settlement of Karachi. The urban population is booming with unprecedented growth due to heavy influx or migration of rural population to the cities especially in Karachi. The rural families are migrating to the city in a way to have better employment; improved lifestyles in urban societies. Migrators usually accommodated in squatters’ settlements of Karachi because of high residing cost in urban areas. The squatters’ settlements are located at outskirt of the city on government owned lands. However the provincial government has set up Sindh Katchi Abadi Authority (SKAA) department for upgrading or regularizing Katchi Abadis which are working under specific rules and regulations. In this study the role of SKAA also highlighted to analyze the working preferences of organization for the rehabilitation or betterment of squatter settlements. The research topic is chosen in order to investigate about the socio-economic issues of families living in squatters settlements. The data is collected from 200 respondents of squatters from squatters’ settlements which are situated in six different districts of Karachi. Data is collected by the self-prepared questionnaire which was prepared in a way to investigate socio-economic issues and problems of squatters’ families living in the settlements. This research found that whole sample of squatters is of migrators. These settlements are considered illegal and have no provision of basic necessities including drinking safe water; inadequate sanitation system; and low standard of housings.