Developers once competed on location, product type, and amenity packages.
But across today’s housing market, another factor is emerging as a powerful differentiator: Connection.
In an era of digital isolation and shifting lifestyle priorities, buyers aren’t just looking for a home. They’re searching for a community where they feel they belong.
In the May 2025 issue of Western Real Estate Journal, Cohere’s CEO Todd Hornback explores how thoughtful community design drives demand and value.
4 key insights shaping the future of master-planned community development, placemaking, and real estate value creation
1. Buyers are choosing community over the “perfect home.”
New research shows the definition of a “dream home” is evolving.
- 88% of homebuyers say they would compromise on aspects of their home for the right community.
- 65% of homeowners report feeling more connected after moving into a community they love.
The feeling of belonging is becoming just as important as the home itself.
What this means for neighborhood design and placemaking:
- Walkable gathering spaces
- Shared experiences and programming
- Opportunities for neighbor interaction
- Pathways that cultivate stewardship
- Design that encourages everyday connection
When those elements exist, homes become more than properties — they become part of a shared community life.
2. “Sense of place” turns housing into home.
Urban planning and housing research consistently show that people form deeper attachments to neighborhoods when three elements are present:
- Place identity (the character and story of a community)
- Place attachment (emotional connection to neighbors and surroundings)
- Place dependence (when daily life becomes rooted in the place itself)
Together, these elements create what planners call a sense of place.
In successful residential developments, this is reflected through:
- Intentional public spaces
- Active streets and shared amenities
- Cultural and social programming
- Visible community traditions
The result: Residents don’t just live there — they truly identify with the place.
3. Social infrastructure matters as much as physical infrastructure.
Roads, utilities, and amenities have long been the backbone of development. But emerging research highlights another critical layer: Social infrastructure.
These are the places and systems that help neighbors interact — amenities, local businesses, civic engagement, shared traditions, and rhythmic experiences that foster participation, trust, and belonging.
Examples include:
- Parks and green spaces
- Agrihoods, community farms and gardens
- Gathering spaces and clubhouses
- Everyday moments, events, traditions, and rituals
- Digital platforms that connect residents
When intentionally designed and stewarded, these elements strengthen participation, trust, and the everyday life of the neighborhood.
4. People-forward placemaking drives long-term value.
Placemaking isn’t just about beautiful spaces. It’s about creating environments where people naturally gather, participate, and build relationships.
Holistic placemaking strategies integrate:
- Community development
- Economic vitality
- Social connection
- Shared identity and culture
When executed well, the impact extends beyond lifestyle:
- Stronger resident retention
- Greater community pride
- Increased long-term property value
For developers, this means community experience is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a market differentiator.
Why this matters now
Across the real estate industry, forward-thinking developers are recognizing that amenities alone don’t create community.
Connection does.
The most successful developments today combine:
- Intentional design
- Curated experiences
- Community stewardship
- Long-term engagement strategies
Together, these elements transform projects from housing developments into places where relationships, traditions, and shared responsibility take root. Places where people don’t just live, they thrive.
For a deeper look at how connection, belonging, and social infrastructure are shaping real estate development, read the full article on page 37 of the Western Real Estate Journal’s May 2025 issue.
