<DIV>By exploring architectural work undertaken over the last 35 years, we see how new cities and towns have risen from nothing to become a metropolitan home to millions of people. Starting with some of the world’s most famous examples of new cities, we then use Hong Kong’s new town programme, initiated in the 70’s, to see how plans develop and change over the years. While some of the engineering remains the same, this thinking has changed radically from simply providing a roof over people’s heads to planning towns that are both environmentally and socially sustainable - with a robust financial basis.</DIV>