The concept of a master plan community is nothing new in residential construction. Now it's making its way into datacenter construction and operation.

As the National Association of Realtors says, "MPCs are a growing trend in new construction where developers aim to offer homebuyers nearly everything they might desire: grocery stores, restaurants, hiking and biking trails, a gym, swimming pool, golf course, and more—within walking distance or a short drive."

Normally a datacenter developer does have to take this into account. You can't have a working facility without network communications, power, and cooling (often water-based). But things get more complicated. Investors and users want to know how they'll meet ESG expectations, because no one wants to find themselves on the wrong side of future regulations, laws, and disappointed and uncomfortable large sources of money.