According to consultants CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) the money to be made from the development would not be sufficient to fund the provision of infrastructure such as public transport, roads and schools.

BBC: Assessment over eco-town project

No matter how you slice it, one thing is clear: the vast majority of Americans working for private employers have not accumulated sufficient assets in their 401ks to fund the retirement income goals they established decades ago.

FORBES: Retirement Dreams for Smaller 401ks -- $15,000 Condos

For many parents used to nearly unlimited switching in traditional mutual fund families, this may not be sufficient.

FORBES: Bloom's Off The 529 Rose

The lesson may be that fund-raising innovations are all well and good, but not sufficient.

ECONOMIST: If only that was all you had to do