Housing the Masses in Asia

Housing the Masses in Asia: Two Decades After Habitat I This paper provides a restrospective review of urban housing in Asia between 1976 and 1996, years of the United Nations' Habitat Conferences. The housing condition in Asian countries is examined over time. Some key questions being addressed include: What are the major institutional innovations that have been effected in delivering housing services? What is the scope and nature of international assistance in bringing resources, technology and experience to Asian governments? To complement these national and international mainstream attempts, what roles have non-government organizations played in helping people, particularly the urban poor, to meet their own housing needs? The study also highlights successful examples of mass housing, with particular reference to the experience of Hong Kong and Singapore. The housing problems being faced by China and Vietnam in their transition from socialist to market economies will be touched upon. The paper concludes with a prospective view of possible trends in urban housing in Asia in the 21st century.