Property consultancy Urbis has published a new perspective examining the elements required to deliver liveable communities within future greenfield developments, arguing that long-term planning, early infrastructure provision and integrated design are essential to creating sustainable neighbourhoods for future generations.
The report, titled ‘Future Liveable Communities: Building for the next generation’, outlines ten core elements that underpin successful master-planned developments. These include:
- Placemaking.
- Green spaces.
- Designing with Country.
- Community amenities.
- Building a local workforce.
- Transport.
- Education.
- Smart, sustainable, and resilient places.
- Housing choice.
- Delivery and partnership models.
According to Urbis, traditional greenfield residential development models are evolving into master-planned communities designed around a long-term vision. These communities seek to combine mixed-use urban form, a range of housing options and early provision of amenities in order to create functioning neighbourhoods rather than purely residential estates.
The report argues that liveable communities require coordinated planning across multiple disciplines from the outset. Land use, transport networks, community infrastructure and public spaces must be considered as part of a single integrated process rather than being delivered in response to minimum planning requirements or after residential occupation has already begun.
This integrated approach aims to produce neighbourhoods that are connected, functional and capable of supporting both residents and local businesses over the long term. Early planning and clear visioning are highlighted as critical to aligning funding, infrastructure delivery and development phasing so that key elements of a community are delivered at the appropriate time.
Urbis also emphasises the role of placemaking in shaping successful developments. The report suggests that major projects should define a clear identity early in the process, incorporating the local story, history, landscape and cultural context of the site. Establishing this narrative can help position a project in the market and build support from both government and the local community.
The report states that developers must be able to answer a fundamental question during early planning: why people would choose to live in that location. Addressing this requires more than simply designing the physical layout of a development. Instead, the social and cultural identity of a place must be considered alongside its built form.
Urbis suggests that storytelling and community engagement can play a role in securing government backing and encouraging future investment in infrastructure. Involving local stakeholders, businesses and residents in shaping the vision of a project can also strengthen the sense of place and community ownership.
Placemaking is presented not only as a design consideration but also as an economic tool. The report notes that well-used and well-regarded places can attract investment, visitors and talent while improving perceptions of a location. In turn, this can generate uplift in land and property values.
Early activation is identified as a practical way to support placemaking before a development is fully built out. Temporary uses such as pop-up markets, community gardens or trial play spaces can be introduced on undeveloped land to test ideas and build early engagement with the site. These initiatives are seen as a relatively low-cost method of establishing community identity and encouraging early adoption by residents.
The report also highlights the importance of measuring the performance of a place over time. Urbis recommends establishing metrics that capture physical, economic and social outcomes, including indicators such as visitation levels, dwell time, economic activity and community sentiment.
Combining quantitative data with qualitative insights allows developers and investors to understand how communities function and evolve. It also provides a framework for evaluating the return on investment from placemaking strategies and helps inform future projects.
Governance structures are also highlighted as an important component of successful communities. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders and the monitoring of economic, social and environmental outcomes can help ensure developments remain responsive to changing needs. Smart technologies and data-driven approaches are identified as tools that can support this evidence-based monitoring.
A significant section of the Urbis perspective focuses on the concept of ‘Designing with Country’, which involves recognising and embedding the cultural knowledge and perspectives of First Nations peoples within the planning and design process.
Connecting with Country is described as building meaningful relationships with First Nations communities and recognising the cultural and spiritual connections they maintain with land, water and sky. The report emphasises that this process involves listening, learning and collaboration with Traditional Owners and Indigenous organisations connected to a site.
Designing with Country goes further by integrating First Nations perspectives into planning and design decisions. This can influence elements such as site layout, landscaping, circulation patterns, materials and the way spaces are experienced. Urbis notes that the process is not limited to visual design outcomes but also involves embedding cultural meaning, ecological understanding and long-term stewardship into development projects.
The report recommends identifying Aboriginal stakeholders early in the planning process, including Elders, Traditional Owners and Indigenous organisations. Engagement frameworks should be developed collaboratively to respect local governance structures, customs and timelines.
One recommended starting point is ‘Walking on Country’ with traditional owners, which allows project teams to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and history of a site. Facilitated discussions can then explore cultural values, stories and aspirations linked to the land.
Ongoing engagement should continue through concept development, detailed design and delivery phases. Cultural mapping exercises can identify both tangible and intangible heritage, ecological knowledge and significant locations that should influence planning decisions.
These insights can then inform landscape design, spatial planning and material selection. The report also suggests that ecological practices informed by Traditional knowledge can guide planting strategies and water-sensitive urban design.
Collaborative design reviews with Traditional Owners are recommended throughout the design process to ensure cultural values are embedded in the project. During construction and delivery phases, representation from Traditional Custodians in governance or advisory roles can help maintain cultural integrity.
Additional measures suggested by Urbis include incorporating Traditional language in the naming of public spaces, commissioning artwork and developing public experiences that communicate the cultural significance of the site.
The report also recommends providing cultural competency training for project teams and establishing long-term stewardship arrangements before completion. These arrangements should support the monitoring of cultural objectives and enable community-led events that recognise milestones and celebrate the relationship between development and Country.
Urbis states that its work supporting Connecting with Country processes is carried out in collaboration with specialist First Nations consultants. In New South Wales, these initiatives are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners to ensure cultural authority, authenticity and integrity.
Overall, the report concludes that the future of greenfield development lies in master-planned communities designed with long-term liveability in mind. Delivering such places requires coordinated planning, early infrastructure investment, housing diversity and active engagement with local communities and First Nations stakeholders.
For sectors such as Build to Rent, which rely on long-term ownership and operational management of residential communities, the emphasis on integrated planning, placemaking and community stewardship aligns with the broader shift toward more holistic residential neighbourhood development.
