Housing

Abstract

Urban areas concentrate large numbers of people in a relatively small geographic area. This makes the provision of safe, affordable housing a sentinel urban challenge. In countries where the pace of urbanization is fastest, provision of suitable, affordable housing for millions has become one of the sentinel challenges for rapidly emerging economies. In more established urban areas in high-income countries, the provision of affordable housing is often a flash point of political discord. At the same time, innovations in housing are emerging, showing the way to sustainable urban living. This chapter discusses housing as a determinant of health in urban areas, including how housing represents both a challenge and an opportunity for cities.