Planned Communities

According to Planned Community Archives, Inc. (PCA for short), the term "Planned Communities" refers to large-scale, mixed-land-use developments that have socially diverse populations and conform to a single master plan. Planned communities serve as creative alternatives to traditional developments. Many countries with limited land resources have been using planned communities strategy for many years.

The core value that all planned communities share is the belief that planning should be accomplished in accordance to community values. As the planned communities grow in population, the inhabitants of the communities share the benefits of the planned use of public land held in common.

For instance, if a new community is being built complete with swimming pools, parks, recreation centers, and a marina, each member of the community would have equal access to the and usage rights to all of the aforementioned facilities. Planned communities are usually able to provide amenities for their community members that the members would normally not be able to enjoy individually.

Another great example of the benefits of planned communities would be horseback riding facilities in a suburban setting. While owning horseback riding facilities, complete with training arena, grazing area, and stables is unattainable for the individual home owner, the ability to have these amenities is made possible when the cost of such facilities are split between the residents of the planned communities.

Large lakefront parks serve as a perfect benefit of planned communities in areas where waterfront property is scarce. Such planning allows for all members of the development to enjoy the use of the natural resource, without the high purchase price when scarcity of the commodity is an issue.

Overall, the main theory from a consumer standpoint behind planned communities is to provide members of the community with amenities they normally would not be able to attain individually. It is only through group usage and cooperation that the attainment of the amenity is possible. In short, it is the old adage "strength in numbers" put into practical use.