Describes and analyses the environmental problems of Third World cities, showing how they affect human health and the local ecology. The authors show how readily available practical solutions are, if the political means can be found.

Jorge E. Hardoy was President of IIED-America Latina until his death in 1993.

Diana Mitlin is an economist and social development specialist and works both at the International Institute for Environment and Development and the Institute for Development Policy and Management (University of Manchester).

David Satterthwaite is a Senior Fellow at IIED and also teaches at the Development Planning Unit of University College London and at the London School of Economics.