The existence of do-it-yourself neighbourhoods in the explosively growing megapoli of the Third World is not often seen as a matter of interest to architects and town planners. The informal world of the so-called 'favelas', 'kampongs', 'barriadas', 'slums', and 'bidonvilles' is even ignored on the city maps of the formal world. But it is here that millions of people are trying to build a decent life for themselves and above all, for their children.'The hidden assignment, At home in the city', is a plea for architects and town planners to get involved and turn once more to the elementary task of housing with dignity, on the basis of a commitment which is profoundly interwoven with their profession.The five housing projects which have been selected as examples in this publication, which accompanies the exhibition of the same name - in Bangkok (Thailand), Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Grahamstown (South Africa), Lima (Peru) and Santos (Brazil) - show the inspiring results of what architects and town planners have achieved working together with the residents. Read Less