In the face of rapid urbanization and globalization, urban areas in India are into a metamorphosis experiencing complex changes that demand effective response from the institutions governing it. The only bright spot appears to be the reforms agenda initiated by the Constitution 74th Amendment Act, 1992 which provided opportunity for empowering and strengthening exercise. The inexplicable neglect by the state governments however is the key background contributory factor. The strategic linking of the financial support with the urban reforms has been thus initiated through various centrally sponsored schemes. The volume highlights the urban reform scenario in a realistic way. It covers the undergoing reforms in critical areas such as urban planning, governance, property tax, institutionalized participative decentralized planning and governance, housing for the urban poor, urban land, transport etc. The discussion has been supplemented by thematic case studies from many states