There are numerous ways in which communities form. Humans are biologically social creatures, so we tend to prefer living together. For most of human history, this was necessary for survival—we needed to be able to defend ourselves against predators and other enemies.

However, in the past 500 years, some patterns have emerged as reliable, repeatable ways for humans to organize around a community or neighborhood with shared spaces and amenities. I’d like to highlight three of these patterns.

1. African Traditional Society

There are still small pockets of neighborhoods, mostly outside big cities, that have held onto the culture handed down from our ancestors. These communities maintain a strong sense of camaraderie, which fosters safety, security, and an inherent sense of the commons—the belief that “what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.” However, this culture is gradually fading as more people move away to find jobs in towns and cities. Nevertheless, whenever you visit, you can still feel the lingering spirit of African traditional society.

2. Government-Organized Communities

This pattern is prevalent in more developed countries that have established strong city and town planning functions. Local government city planning teams allocate or zone specific areas in any upcoming city or town as residential, commercial, educational, or healthcare zones. This zoning system forces property developers—whether private or public—to follow a master city plan designed to create a holistic, organized community with shared amenities such as hospitals, public transport, retail stores, and schools.

3. Private Developers

This is perhaps the most repeatable pattern today, particularly in Uganda. Private developers, such as real estate investors, can purchase large plots of land (usually over an acre) and propose a master plan, which they then register with the lands office. Once the plan is approved, a condominium association or homeowners’ association is automatically registered. The developer then begins constructing and selling residential units to multiple owners, who all become members of the homeowners’ association. Eventually, the developer hands over the management of shared spaces and amenities to the homeowners through the preexisting association.

Regardless of how an organized community is formed, if you’re looking to buy or rent a home in Uganda, drop me a message on WhatsApp or email—I’d love to hear from you!