The key characteristic that delineates a squatter settlement is its lack of ownership of the land parcel on which they have built their house. In general, there are several attributes that act as generative forces and determine the quality and size of a settlement. A vast number of case studies at the Habitat Conference at Vancouver in 1976 highlighted the conditions in squatter settlements, calling for a concerted and committed approach towards solving the problems. Therefore, a residential area occupied by squatters becomes a squatter settlement. The need is so much more necessary to understand such settlements so that a concerted action can be taken.
Bad housing is a major index of slum conditions.
Therefore, while a slum settlement refers to the condition of a settlement, squatter settlement would refer to the legal position of the settlement. There are a number of names by which squatter settlement are described by various authors, which highlight the attitudes and approaches towards them, ranging from a positive to neutral to negative outlook. These reasons leave no option for the low-income householder to squat on a vacant piece of land. Services like water-supply or electricity may be provided either by this person or by the organization of the squatters, usually at the community level. The core group squatters are a small number of families who, almost overnight, occupy a piece of land and build a rudimentary and temporary shelter.