ABSTRACT
Speaking to those with responsibilities for housing policy and its implementation, Dr Otto Koenigsberger says that "if government is to improve a low-income majority's housing conditions then it must not build houses. " Knowing that Professor Emeritus Koenigsberger is one of the most experienced and distinguished authorities in the field today, this statement surprises many of those mostly senior government officials from Third World countries who attend his seminars and lectures at the Development Planning Unit (University College London). Perhaps most still take it for granted that government housing policy has to do mainly with the provision of houses. As one who has learned a great deal from Dr Koenigsberger and who shares his view, this article summarizes my own interpretation of the new vision of development as it is becoming manifest in newly emerging policies on what is better called Habitat - the social and economic as well as physical shelter essential for well-being.
