Supporting Active and Healthy Living in Master-Planned Communities: A Case Study

Master‑planned communities are increasingly expected to support active and healthy lifestyles through their design, facilities and community programming. This article develops a three‑factor framework—Place, Program and Partnership—to evaluate how built form, activity initiatives and organisational collaboration contribute to healthier living environments. Applying the framework to Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast, the study identifies key challenges, including ensuring program accessibility across demographic groups, strengthening active‑transport infrastructure and securing sustainable governance and funding for community organisations. The findings highlight the need for integrated planning, inclusive programming and long‑term partnerships to embed active and healthy living within master‑planned communities.