City structure is a complex system and comprises sets of entities-objects, activities, infrastructure and land-which are simultaneously interdependent and interactive among themselves and with their environment. The spatial patterning of the entities of this system is determined by a dynamic and probabilistic combination of historical, social, economic and administrative factors. Sociologists, geographers, economists and others have examined the social and economic characteristics of urban neighbourhoods in search for generalizations about this spatial patterning. These studies, commonly known as ecologies seek to understand the relationships among human groups and between them and their socio-economic and physical environments, first describing how and, then, trying to explain why areas differ in the composition and characteristics of their population and activities. This collection of papers bring together all such studies conducted to date on large Indian Cities. The cities covered are, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, Poona and Sholapur. As social scientists, planners and others face the challenge of comprehending, anticipating and controlling metropolitan urban growth in India, the concepts, assertions and findings of these studies will surely prove to be valuable resources.
