This paper presents a piece of research from a broader project that explores the processes involved in the creation of “successful” new suburban development. Part of this involves exploring the way relationships might be conceptualised, valued and practiced in master planned estates.

In relation to the development of private residential estates (often termed ‘gated communities’) in metropolitan regions across Australia, community is seen to be a marketing device and anything but real. However this paper discusses a new version of urban community that pervades private residential estates.

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.

The emergence of gated residential spaces in Australian cities has begun to attract the attention of researchers, policy makers, governments and planners. This paper considers the desire and need for security, and the formation of community and the mechanism of community title in gated communities.

The objectives of this paper are to review governance frameworks and challenges for master planned communities at three critical stages of development: the visioning and planning stage, the implementation stage, and the completion stage.