The panel will choose the final design of the towns from designs shortlisted in a design competition run by a handful of governmental community and architectural organizations.

The towns will each contain 5,000 to 20,000 homes, forgoing high-density apartments in favor of family homes, gardens and green spaces within walking distance to shops and schools in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. The houses will include green building features, such as timber, solar thermal panels, double glazing, insulation and biomass boilers. Between 30 to 50 percent of the housing units will qualify as affordable housing.