Subdivision involves dividing a parcel of land into smaller, saleable plots, creating what is collectively known as a subdivision. Subdivisions may be designed for residential housing or for commercial and industrial use, ranging from retail malls with individually owned parcels to industrial parks.

A condominium design, by contrast, allows for shared ownership of common areas within a structure or land parcel, such as the interior walls and shared spaces in a multi-unit apartment or office building. This format supports mixed-use developments and maximizes shared resources while maintaining individual unit ownership.