Rising to the global challenge of finding Somewhere to Live

Why is it that, despite economic growth that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty globally, access to urban land and housing is becoming more difficult, even for people on reasonable incomes? The present situation is the outcome of a form of economic management that has benefitted a small elite at the expense of the vast majority of people, in countries at all levels of economic development. Even more seriously, it has coincided with a global pandemic that has exacerbated ongoing levels of social inequality, and the climate crisis, which could see many parts of the world becoming uninhabitable during this century. However, since land and housing sectors are currently a reflection of the crisis, they can become a key part of the solution.
Reflecting on an international career of more than five decades as an academic, consultant and researcher covering all regions of the world, Geoffrey Payne distilled his experience in his latest book - Somewhere to Live: Rising to the global urban land and housing challenge' (Practical Action Publishing, 2022). The event provides a summary of the key issues and options for addressing both inequality and the climate crisis that are applicable in countries at all levels of economic development.