EAROPH as a non- governmental multi-sectorial organisation encompassing the private, public and academic sector was established to foster the exchange of insights and experiences among countries in the EAROPH region.

It promotes a better understanding of Human Settlements and encourages excellence in planning, Development and management to improve the quality of life and sustainability of human settlements.

Historical Background

The Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing (EAROPH) was founded at its first Congress help in New Delhi, India in 1956, at a time when emerging nations of the third world were beginning to realise the importance of their socio/cultural identities and traditional values. Rapid pace of development, particularly in Asia, stimulated debates on many issues -not least of these were the subjects of urban planning and housing for the masses. Concerned professionals of various disciplines concurred that these were matters which would be best handled by those who were culturally in-tune with the countries involved -an ideal upon which EAROPH’ s foundation was laid.

EAROPH was officially inaugurated under its new constitution at the second EAROPH International Congress in Tokyo, Japan in 1960 and gained its NGO status from the United Nations (UN) through its then parent organisation, the International Federal of Housing and Planning (IFHP).

The EAROPH region covers all countries in Asia, Australasia and the Pacific region. The EAROPH Secretariat was moved from New Delhi, India to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1978.

What are our Objectives?

EAROPH aims to consolidate and continually promote the provision of better quality of life, housing and planning in the Asian, Australasia and Pacific region. The EAROPH region has been acknowledged as the most dynamic in the world in terms of economic growth, magnitude of urbanisation, population size and ethnic diversity.

EAROPH initial direction was to stay abreast of all human settlement issues and problems that result from rapid development of a nation. Since the 13th EAROPH World Planning Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1992, the programme of activities has been expended to cover areas similar to those of the Agenda 21 as adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Thus, over and above the issues on Housing and Planning, EAROPH will concentrate on the promotion of a holistic approach to human settlements incorporating the following:

Environmental and energy issues;

• Sustainable land-use, planning and management;
• The enhancement of local and bio-regional identities and cultural values;
• The promotion of education systems which are appropriate for the evolving communities;
• The promotion of sustainable construction industry activities;
• The promotion of human resource development and other related issues.

With the launching of the Langkawi Strategic Plan in 1996, EAROPH’ has redefined its role and goals. These are:

• To consolidate and promote expertise in Human Settlements in the EAROPH Region.
• To provide a forum for continuous collaboration between governments, private sectors and people in addressing Human Settlements issues.
• To promote personal professional development of its members.
• To provide expert technical support for members.
• To provide expert technical consultancy services on a commercial basis.
• To facilitate the exchange of information, experiences, ideas and insights among members.
• To foster links with organisations with similar interests in other regions.

Our Activities

EAROPH has been expanding its activities in various areas. These includes:

• Arranging technical exchange programmes between countries;
• Organising international conferences and regional seminars;
• Running short-term technical training programmes;
• Conducting technical field visits to member countries;
• Promoting joint-venture urban development projects;
• Facilitating funding arrangements for project between donor agencies and beneficiary countries in the EAROPH region;
• Hosting public forums for key policy makers to highlight current issues, publishing bulletins and journals.

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Eastern Regional Organisation For Planning & Housing – EAROPH