Interdisciplinary research into people and environmental settings in the Third World is only beginning to develop, but without an appropriate focus. An agenda of study and major issues that should inform research are outlined in this paper. It is demonstrated that fruitfulness of research in the Third World lies in the identification of culturally relevant form and unit of space of study, as well as of the contexts in which various environmental appraisals are to be made. Both issues are identified and described. It is advocated that appropriate environmental research associations be formed, on regional and international levels, to coordinate and stimulate further research relevant to national environmental design policy.