While retail form has implications for matters such as consumer accessibility, quality of service and transport patterns and has been the subject of investigations overseas, there have been comparatively few investigations into the nature of retail form in Australia and the factors that shape that form.

Increasingly property developers are offering housing estates that cater to those interested in particular lifestyle options. This paper explores the implications of this shift through investigation into some recent master planned estates in Victoria.

New retail and activity centres currently being planned for and developed in growth areas on greenfield sites on the city fringe should be designed from the outset with sustainability criteria in mind.