Beyond our borders: what Australia can learn from US masterplans
In today’s rapidly evolving development landscape, looking beyond our borders for innovation and inspiration is more important than ever, especially when it comes to masterplan communities. International markets offer powerful insights on what it takes to create places that are not only functional, but thriving, connected, and enduring. Two standout examples from the US — Summerlin in Las Vegas and Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota — have become gold standards in masterplanned community development, consistently topping national rankings and sales charts. So, what sets them apart? And more importantly, how can we apply their winning strategies to the Australian context?
Designing a Lifestyle Ecosystem
The biggest takeaway from both communities? They don’t just build homes, they build lifestyles.
Today’s buyers aren’t simply seeking shelter; they want connection, vibrancy, and a sense of belonging. Successful developments foster these elements by embedding lifestyle into the very DNA of their planning.
Summerlin’s Amenity Rich Lifestyle
Summerlin is a masterplanned community located on the western edge of Las Vegas, Nevada, with trail access to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s success can be traced to its robust amenity offering. It seamlessly blends residential neighbourhoods with a rich mix of amenities, including over 250 recreation parks, top-rated schools, golf courses, cultural venues, and a vibrant urban core known as Downtown Summerlin. Designed around walkability, open space, and lifestyle integration, Summerlin has consistently ranked among the top-selling communities in the United States, setting a benchmark for large-scale, amenity-rich development.
The lesson for Australia: Are we investing early enough in community infrastructure? Green spaces, trails, schools, and civic hubs should be foundational — not afterthoughts.
Lakewood Ranch’s “Village” Model
Lakewood Ranch takes a different approach, dividing its community into distinct "villages" — this innovative model offers a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character, amenities, and housing options tailored to different lifestyles and life stages. This segmentation allows them to meet the needs of diverse buyers, from first-home buyers to retirees.
The lesson for Australia: Can we move beyond cookie-cutter estates and deliver more diverse, character-rich precincts tailored to different lifestyles and demographics?
Building Walkable Urban Centres
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is a destination for cafes, boutiques, international dining, entertainment, and year-round events and concerts.
In a country like Australia — often dominated by car-centric planning — creating walkable, connected communities is both a challenge and an opportunity. Summerlin’s focus on a walkable urban core reinforces the value of designing around people, not just vehicles.
Key strategies to consider:
Integrated Town Centres: Retail, employment, and civic spaces must be easily accessible and designed as vibrant community hubs.
Pedestrian & Cycle Networks: Prioritise active transport options that encourage connection and healthier lifestyles.
Smart Amenity Placement: Schools, parks, and transit nodes should be within easy walking or cycling distance from homes.
While this may sound like common sense, pedestrian centric connectivity presents quite an evolution for many of Australia’s urban centres.
Adaptability and Vision
Expansion plans at Summerlin will deliver a new standard of integrated urban living in the Downtown area. This marks the beginning of residential living in an area that will include thousands of multi-family units, as well as additional office, service, retail, park and entertainment space.
Both Summerlin and Lakewood Ranch’ decades-long success is grounded in long-term thinking and the flexibility to evolve with their residents.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Phased, Flexible Development: Allow room for changing demographics, new technologies, and emerging housing needs.
Continuous Community Engagement: Stay connected with residents to ensure the community evolves in step with their needs.
Sustainability and Quality: Build for longevity with green infrastructure, high-quality materials, and environmentally conscious design.
The takeaway:
Yes, the US and Australia have distinct market dynamics. But the core principles behind these American success stories are universal:
A stronger focus on amenity-first masterplanning
Creating diverse and distinctive precincts
Prioritising walkability and connectivity
Embracing a long-term, flexible approach to community building
Recognising the importance of building lifestyle
Looking abroad for learnings has reinforced a vision for what Australian communities can be — vibrant, connected, and truly liveable places that stand the test of time.
Join the conversation: What other global master-planned communities do you think offer valuable insights for Australia? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.