This paper presents results from an empirical study of land availability for housing development in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, since 1885. The availability of land also affects the pattern of growth of squatter settlements, and contributes
to their unique character. In most cases land has not been seized indiscriminately by squatter settlers. Recently, although much land within the urban area is still vacant, low income earners have been seeking alternative forms of urban residence to squatter
settlements because the principal land-holders are controlling land use more rigorously.