Published Paper Details:

Rapid urbanization has been one of the most defining processes shaping Indian cities in recent decades, with significant consequences for social structures, cultural landscapes, and patterns of settlement. Jodhpur, the second-largest city of Rajasthan, has witnessed unprecedented growth in its urban population, rising from 560,310 in 1991 to 1.6 million in 2011, reflecting a growth rate of over 35 percent per decade. This demographic expansion has led to the proliferation of squatter settlements and slums, which now accommodate nearly 23 percent of the city's total population. The present study investigates the dynamics of slums in Jodhpur with a focus on urbanization and cultural change. The research is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through household surveys of 300 families across five major squatter settlements--Chopasani Road, Mandore, Soorsagar, Paota, and Sardarpura--while secondary data was derived from Census of India reports, Jodhpur Development Authority records, and municipal statistics. Variables such as demographic profile, housing conditions, occupational structure, access to basic amenities, and cultural practices were analyzed using descriptive statistics and spatial mapping techniques. Findings reveal that most slum dwellers are migrants from rural districts of western Rajasthan, drawn by employment opportunities in construction, handicrafts, and informal services. Housing structures are predominantly kutcha and semi-pucca, with 62 percent of households lacking proper sanitation and 48 percent depending on shared water sources. Despite poverty and inadequate infrastructure, slums have become spaces of vibrant cultural negotiation. Traditional rural customs, such as caste-based associations, folk music, and communal festivals, persist but are increasingly reshaped by urban influences, including exposure to modern education, consumerism, and digital media. Notably, women's participation in income-generating activities has risen to 27 percent, reflecting gradual cultural transformation. The study concludes that slums in Jodhpur are not merely marginal spaces of deprivation but also sites of cultural adaptation and resilience. Urban informality, though often perceived negatively, facilitates the integration of migrants into the city's socio-economic fabric while simultaneously generating hybrid cultural identities. Policy implications suggest that urban planning must go beyond eviction and rehabilitation approaches to recognize slum communities as integral contributors to Jodhpur's evolving urban culture and economy.