A livelihoods approach views the world from the point of view of the individuals, households and social groups who are trying to make a living in volatile conditions and with limited assets. It provides a framework for understanding the opportunities and assets available to poor people and the sources of their vulnerability, as well as the impact upon them of external organizations, processes and policies. Based on recent and extensive research, this collection assesses the value of the livelihoods approach in analyzing urban poverty and guiding the selection of policy and program components....