Bigger Fast Better More shows that in countries where local councils have to “compete for every inhabitant” they successfully plan for better and cheaper homes in sustainable, green communities.

The authors visited Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and Australia to investigate how these countries plan for development. Like the UK, all four countries have experienced pressure on their housing markets because of growing populations, smaller households, longer life spans, immigration and increases in wealth. Some have adjusted to these changing conditions and continue to provide bigger and more affordable homes in green cities. But others have not.