THE THEME OF this issue,the struggle for shelter,was determined by the number of papers submitted to Environment and Urbani-zation on the topic. However,this has also been the underlying theme of many papers in previous issues,as described later. In virtually all urban centres,low-income groups always have to struggle to find housing. The less they can afford to spend on housing,the fewer the options and the greater the gap between what they would like and what they can find. This gap is greatly widened by the unwillingness or inability of government authorities to help increase the supply and reduce the cost of housing,and l and for housing,and to ensure the provision of infrastructure and services. In order to reduce the cost,almost all low-income groups end up having to accept housing that is inadequate, dangerous,overcrowded,insecure and poorly located.