Urban housing systems in the Asia-Pacific region span across a wide spectrum ranging from laissez faire through hybrid to government-led systems. Some systems may evolve with the macro socio-economic policies while some may not. Similarly, housing conditions do not necessarily reflect the levels of economic and social development of respective countries/cities. The diversity of the housing policy and practice in the Asia-Pacific countries and cities is yet to be adequately compared and explained.

Significant changes in the housing sectors of the Asia-Pacific have indeed taken place in the last three decades. Since the mid-eighties, the global trends of privatization and marketization have been affecting the housing policies of the region's market and formerly centrally planned economies, and those in between. In the past one and half decades, the regional and global economic crises engendered significant policy changes in housing. The crises unfolded the interconnectedness of the housing sector with the general economy, the role of housing was thus under close review and subsequently redefined in the economic restructuring processes. The region is now entering into a booming stage. At this juncture, it is essential that APNHR continues to provide a forum for housing academics, policy makers and the like who have a strong interest in housing in the region to critically examine and review housing issues and experiences in the respective and comparative socio-political and economic contexts, and to draw lessons from outside the region. We hope that you will join us as members and attend our conferences to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences for the benefit of the people living in this region.

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