Affordable housing for smart villages This book initiates a fresh discussion of affordability in rural housing set in the context of the rapidly shifting balance between rural and urban populations. It conceptualises affordability in rural housing along a spectrum that is interlaced with cultural and social values integral to rural livelihoods at both personal and community level. Developed around four intersecting themes: explaining houses and housing in rural settings; exploring affordability in the context of aspirations and vulnerability; rural development agendas involving housing and communities; and construction for resilience in rural communities the book provides an overview of some of the little understood and sometimes counter intuitive best practices on rural affordability and affordable housing that have emerged in developing economies over the last thirty years. Drawing on practice based evidence this book presents innovative ideas for harnessing rural potential and empowering rural communities with added affordability and progressive development in the context of housing and improved living standards Housing in rural settings The nature culture determinants of rural housing Affordable houses Housing affordability Materials and resources in construction of affordable houses Global practices in rural development Vulnerability in rural community Resilience in rural community Sustained growth and development.