Designing for belonging: What master planned communities and outdoor hospitality teach us about connection
By Lance Ippel, Senior Planner at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture
When we talk about “community” as designers, we aren’t just talking about the physical layout of streets, parks, or open spaces. Community is all about connection, and design plays an important role in how people connect to each other. In my experience designing master planned communities (MPCs) and outdoor hospitality destinations, I’ve seen the way spaces influence how people meet, socialize, and ultimately feel a sense of belonging. These outcomes are not accidental. They emerge from the careful layering of social connections, programs, and design elements.
As a landscape designer, I approach every project with the end user in mind. How will someone move through this space? How will they find their way, meet others, or carve out solitude when they need it? How do the functional community components, amenities, and activities interact to create an experience that feels welcoming to everyone? I answer all these questions through a layered design approach.
Layered design is a method of creating outdoor spaces by considering the various ecological, functional, and aesthetic elements that overlap and interact with each other. It ensures that all the elements of a personalized, inviting space, such as easy navigation, welcoming gathering spaces, and flexibility, all come together seamlessly to create a positive experience. MPCs and outdoor hospitality spaces are two types of communities that may have different physical outcomes but share a common design goal: to create environments that are intuitive, engaging, and welcoming to everyone.
Two worlds, one goal: Connection
At first glance, a master planned community and an outdoor hospitality destination may seem like two very different worlds. MPCs are long-term residential environments built to support everyday life, while outdoor hospitality can mean anything from a weekend camping trip to a month-long RV adventure. But the truth is that both share a surprising number of design goals.
First, navigation and connectivity are central to both. In a community, residents should be able to comfortably navigate their neighborhood whether by foot, bike, or car. As a designer, I often imagine how I would give directions to a friend visiting for the first time. No matter how large the development, people should never feel lost or disoriented. In outdoor hospitality, this concept shows up in how people drive into a site, park, and then shift into pedestrian mode. Campgrounds, glamping resorts, and RV parks all need clear wayfinding so guests can relax into their experience instead of worrying about getting around.
Both types of environments also rely heavily on gathering spaces. In MPCs, these might be central plazas, pedestrian promenades, or flexible-use parks where a neighborhood can host a birthday party one weekend and a cultural festival the next. Outdoor hospitality spaces also provide central nodes, but they often lean more toward walkable, intimate hubs like campfire circles, picnic shelters, or trailheads that naturally invite interaction with both people and nature.
Finally, both require a strong balance between individualized experiences and collective engagement. In a master planned community, residents may want quiet sidewalks for evening walks as much as they want vibrant community centers. In an outdoor resort, a guest might choose between spending time solo in a hammock or joining a group hike. Both contexts succeed when they provide options for socializing that feel comfortable no matter if someone comes alone, in a couple, with family, or as part of a larger group. healing process.
Different scales and different rhythms
The key difference in these two communities lies in scale and permanence.
Master planned communities are designed for longevity and growth over decades. I see them as functioning like a puzzle within a puzzle, where each section has its own identity but connects seamlessly to the larger whole. These places are built to feel like home in the truest sense: a backdrop for daily routines, family milestones, and neighborhood traditions. That makes navigation and comfort especially important because residents need to feel secure, grounded, and confident that their community supports the rhythms of everyday life.
The layering of spaces, connections, and programs in MPCs creates a flexible security and comfort, supporting both everyday life and moments of connection.
Outdoor hospitality environments, on the other hand, are temporary by nature. Visitors are usually there for a defined time, and their needs revolve around creating a meaningful experience in a short span. That makes walkability even more critical. Guests typically arrive by vehicle but then want everything within a short stroll once they’re on-site. For strategic designers, the challenge is twofold: creating spaces that immediately engage people during their stay while also weaving in experiences and elements that are memorable enough to draw them back again and again. Whether it’s the comfort of easily navigating a site, the charm of a communal fire pit where strangers become friends, or the uniqueness of a trail system that feels both accessible and adventurous, these touchpoints turn a temporary visit into a lasting connection.
Thoughtful layering of experiences encourages both private moments and social connection, allowing outdoor hospitality resorts to become a home away from home, drawing users back for more, and offering comfort and familiarity even in a new and temporary setting.
Layering experiences to build belonging and community
For the end user, a successfully layered experience translates into comfort, ease, and ultimately personal connection.
In an MPC, strong pedestrian connectivity means parents can let kids bike to the park with confidence. Central gathering areas mean neighbors can meet without needing to drive across town. The sidewalk in front of a home can connect to the regional trail system that connects scenic landscapes to the larger city. Thoughtful layered design transforms what could be just another subdivision into a neighborhood where people know each other’s names.
In outdoor hospitality, layered experiences ensure that even in an unfamiliar setting, visitors feel grounded. Clear trails, logical layouts, and inviting gathering spaces help guests focus less on logistics and more on connection, whether that’s roasting marshmallows with strangers around a campfire or simply enjoying a quiet morning coffee with a view.
The overlap between these two worlds reminds us that layered design is not just about the lines on a plan. It is about shaping human experience in ways that make people feel at home. When design is fragmented or disconnected, people notice. Confusing layouts, inaccessible gathering spaces, or a lack of flexible options all make it harder for people to feel comfortable. Layering social opportunities, programming, and design elements by contrast, removes barriers and fosters both intentional and spontaneous connection.
Community doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through intentional design choices that prioritize meaningful connection, flexibility, and comfort. These environments don’t just provide shelter or recreation; they build empathy, strengthen neighborhoods, and expand cultural horizons.
Layered design is the thread that weaves these experiences together. It bridges the permanent and the temporary, the familiar and the new. When we peer past the overt presentation of a space—be it a master planned community or outdoor hospitality—we can better design for connection and belonging. In doing so, we do more than build spaces; we build community, shared culture, and a lasting sense of place
Author Bio: Lance Ippel is a Senior Planner at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture in the Austin, Texas office and has more than nine years of experience in landscape architecture, planning, and land use. His work spans master-planned communities, RV and glamping resorts, marinas, and parks, where he coordinates projects and integrates land use, infrastructure, and design to create places that fit their surroundings and serve the people who use them. A member of ASLA and ULI, Lance is passionate about outdoor hospitality and shaping places that connect people to nature.
