"The issues of urban change, and of environmental degradation have long been of concern to geographers with our strong emphasis on human/environmental relationships. Spatial inequalities, as reflected in the distribution of well-being are also a major focus for human geographers. In the Pacific Islands rapid changes occuring in the urban areas are obvious in deteriorating ernvironments and in increasing poverty amongst disadvantaged groups. This book on urban poverty and environment arose out of research carried out in the Pacific over the past decade ... The material presented here is partly original research (particularly Chapter V), and partly material which is largely unpublished, such as internatinal and regional agency and consultancy reports, largely inaccessible to the general public ..." -- Preface.