The collection consists of materials acquired by Special Collections and the University Archives and maintained for purposes of historical research. It includes reports, correspondence, committee minutes, course materials, architectural and other drawings, newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, posters, brochures, and other published materials. The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject or name (e.g. organisations, University departments, events, buildings/places, and individuals).

The fonds consists mainly of Centre for Human Settlements materials and a few files from the rest of the School of Community and Regional Planning. The records are arranged into the following series: Administration, CHS, General History, and International Activities, Correspondence, and Projects. CHS is further divided into the following sub-series: Administration, CIDA Library, Conferences, Seminars, Response, Correspondence, General History, Projects, Publications, and Reports.