In a rapidly changing and urbanizing world, the provision of adequate and affordable housing remains a key priority for all governments. However, the concept of housing requires a new understanding to effectively and synergistically address the pressing issues of slum prevention, the urban divide, economic and human development, and climate change. No longer regarded as simply a roof over one’s head, housing today plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development – as envisaged by the idea of sustainable housing.

Sustainable housing is, however, yet to gain its due prominence in developing countries. It is rare that the social, cultural, environmental, and economic facets of housing are addressed there is an integrated policy. In many developing contexts, the so-called pro-poor housing programmes often provide accommodation of poor standards, in remote locations, with little consideration for the residents’ lifestyle and livelihood strategies. In others, rapid housing developments create an amplified carbon footprint and further negative impacts on the environment. Yet in most developing cities, decent and safe housing remains a dream for the majority of the population, while the government considers affordable housing as merely a social burden.