, a neighbourhood in Austin, Texas, are cavernous, but occupy only a small portion of their plots. Rules known as the “McMansion ordinance”, intended to preserve the area’s character, ensure there is plenty of space between them. Architects must squeeze the design of anyinto an imaginary tent rising five metres from the plot’s edge, then angling in at 45 degrees. The rules seek to prevent sprawling developments from replacing small houses.
Things are now starting to change. Alongside Auckland in New Zealand, Austin has become a test case for housing deregulation. Fors, activists who say “yes in my backyard” to development, reforms in the cities are shining examples to be followed elsewhere. There are signs such campaigners are winning the debate in the anglosphere. Britain’s newhas made “getting Britain building again” a central aim; a push for affordable housing is core to the appeal of Canada’s opposition Conservative party.