[Developing countries] In the rural areas of developing countries environmental living conditions are usually primitive, little or no economic and social improvement is achieved, and the result is a declining cycle of poor health, stagnation and wasted human energies. This situation, together with the paucity of community facilities and other amenities in such areas, tends to accelerate the movement of rural migrants to urban centres. Although the problems of urban housing are receiving increased attention in developing countries faced with rapid urbanization trends, relatively little has been done for the improvement of rural housing and community facilities which would assist such countries in achieving a balanced urban-rural development.