This paper outlines a research proposal for a series of investigations into aspects of urban housing which it seems important to understand before formulating an enlarged public housing programme. Studies in the areas outlined here are either scanty or non-existent. The studies therefore proposed here should be concerned essentially with the following broad questions: (a) Whether a diversion of investment to housing would not in fact benefit the economy from the point of view of raising the rate of savings and levels of employment. (b) What kinds of accommodation (for essential amenities only) should be provided, how should loans be administered, and what special legislation if any is necessary to ensure continuing success. (c) Would the 'incremental' housing programmes suggested here succeed in the face of quite possibly lower priorities being attached by families-especially poorer families-to housing compared to other necessities of urban life; will the fact of provision of improved housing lead to increased migration to these areas. (d) What values of density, and what design parameters besides density should be adopted as guidelines in the broad layout and planning of residential districts.