It's arguably the Canberra liberals' signature policy. A major expansion of the urban footprint, into a new district at Kowen currently a pine plantation. 80 per cent of the 125-thousand homes the party wants to build by 2050 would come here. Elsewhere, the opposition would continue with existing plans for developments such as at thoroughbred park and the old CSIRO Ginninderra site. That's one area where the two major parties have something in common. Another is their desire to increase urban density around commercial areas. But Labor’s overall plan for urban infill goes much further. It's committed to a 'missing middle' design guide to look at where to build more properties such as townhouses and duplexes. The greens are promising to go further still pledging to change residential zoning to automatically allow medium-density housing anywhere across Canberra. As for thoroughbred park rather than building homes around the edge the greens want to get rid of the racecourse in its current spot and build an entirely new suburb. With the population expected to crack half a million in the next term housing promises to be a critical issue for whoever makes up the next government.