Rapid urbanisation in the Asia-Pacific region without clear strategies causes many problems for human well-being. By sending young scientists from the region to an IHDP workshop in Bonn, Germany, on Urbanisation and Transition to Sustainability in June 2002, this project introduced many young scientists to this pressing issue and initiated a network of researchers that was expanded following the next workshop. Many of the young scientists who were invited continue their research work in global change. APN support allowed this project to establish, develop and sustain research capacity in the region.