Besides highlighting some of the enduring concerns faced by today s urban planners, what else has the Istanbul city summit Habitat II actually achieved?

Water availability has emerged as the most important element for peace, Habitat II secretary-general Wally N'Dow told conference delegates. Addressing a panel on the growing water needs of cities,

After 20 years of non performance, heads of states will finally sit down to decide where, when and how they will provide people with roofs over their heads

The insular but self sufficient existence of the marine nomads inhabiting the islands that pepper the Brahmaputra river as it winds across Assam illustrates how humans can adapt their lifestyle to harmonise with their surroundings. But it's a tou