The Report was prepared jointly by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Asia and the Pacific has had long history of cities, rapid urbanization in the region started in the late 1980s and 1990s,with trade liberalization, globalization and the resultant rapid economic growth. Urban areas now account for over 80 percent of the region’s GDP. Rapid urbanization has also led to major social changes. Economic growth and urbanization have provided opportunities for social mobility and for breaking traditional roles for women and men. It has resulted in the creation of a large educated middle class that has disposable income and is information savvy and globally  connected. Asia and the Pacific is perhaps also the most diverse region in terms of economy, society, culture, environment and human settlement.

Asia is the largest region in the world with 30 per cent of the land mass and 60 per cent of the population. Given its vast geographical expanse, Asia and the Pacific is perhaps also the most diverse region in terms of economy, society, culture, environment and human settlements. Geographically, the 63 countries and territories in the region have been grouped in five sub regions: East and North-East Asia, South-East Asia, South and South-West Asia, North and Central Asia, and the Pacific. he vast spread of the Asia-Pacific region features high-, middle- and low-income economies, as well as a wealth of diverse societies and cultures. The region’s environment also presents a varied picture with tropical and temperate climates, and some of the world’s most arid and water-rich biomes, not to mention the highest mountains (the Himalayas) and gigantic river valleys and deltas (those of the Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Red, Yangtze and Yellow rivers). Finally, with regard to human settlements, the region is host to highly urbanized countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan and others much less urbanized such as Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.