This report contains ten papers dealing with population growth that focus attention on the quality of life in human settlements and the values and practical policies to be sought. Some of the papers were prepared for the Habitat Conference convened in Vancouver by world governments in June 1976. The first paper discusses world action plans for dealing with population and the need for rural development. The second paper, focusing on the U.S. concern for human settlements, points out the need for a high level of citizen participation in meeting population problems. The third paper stresses the difference between the growth of cities in the developed world in the last century, caused primarily by the presence of industrial jobs, and the growth of cities in developing countries today, caused primarily by the population explosion. In other papers authors discuss the need to help people help themselves; the inability of the local government of Lagos, Nigeria, to keep up with the needs of its increasing population; the active role that cities can play in their own development; community-based services; new government policies in Mexico regarding urban housing, rural development, and responsible parenthood; and the U.S. experience with urbanization and community development following World War II. (Author/RM)