The Ad Hoc Expert Group on the Role of Housing in Promoting Social Integration was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in conformity with an Economic and Social Council resolution, to examine the role of housing in promoting social integration, and to prepare recommendations on this subject for consideration by Member States. In its resolution the Council sought to emphasize the need to include social aspects of housing in the development plans of countries. The Group was requested to provide advice regarding the underlying judgment that certain forms of residential segregation have damaging social and economic consequences and are inimical to the well-being of individual citizens and classes of populations; to national development; and to international harmony. The phenomenon of segregation was examined in terms of causes, effects and strategies. It was observed that segregation occurs at every level, from the international economic division of rich and poor nations to the personal isolation of an individual. The experts felt that planning had suffered from an overemphasis of technical and economic considerations at the expense of social values. They arrived at specific recommendations for the encouragement of social integration through housing policy. (Author/JM)