The question of the urban poor has been a topic discussed around the world and many global organisations, including the World Bank have taken steps to eradicate this through various social development programmes. This book by N. Chandrasiri Niriella looks at urban issues and at identifying them based on research carried out on the urban poor, to understand our own role as responsible citizens in alleviating poverty. The poverty issues in Asia are no secret and countries such as Sri Lanka and larger neighbours such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have had no long-term solutions. Unfortunately, the cause is not addressed widely and is most often confined to star class versus the downtrodden. As a sociologist, Niriella explores the industrial class division and urban class by using Karl Marx and Max Webber and also looked into approaches that would help address emerging issues of the urban poor.