The aim o f the study is to look at an integrated approach to sustainability of urban shelter settlements in India in various socioeconomic groups in relation to how they respond to global pressures and local needs. Within a more global framework, recommendations made in this study can be applicable to other developing countries facing similar short-term and long-term development problems. A literature review of present the shelter situation with respect to social, economic, environmental, political and technogical aspects in terms of local and global influences and impacts provides the background data and focus to a series of case studies.