Srila Prabhupada: “The leaders of modern civilization select their own residential quarters in a place where there are such naturally beautiful gardens and reservoirs of water, but they leave the common men to reside in congested areas without parks and gardens. Herein of course we find a different description of the city of  Dvaraka. It is understood that the whole dhama, or residential quarter, was surrounded by such gardens and parks with reservoirs of water where lotuses grew. It is understood that all the people depended on nature's gifts of fruits and flowers without industrial enterprises promoting filthy huts and slums for residential quarters.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.11.12, Purport)

Anyway without court permission we shall not take the land. In the meantime it is all right that you invest only in moveable property. Of course you should not be thinking to sell any of the crops for profit. That is not our purpose. The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities like grain, vegetables, milk, and cloth; and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krishna. They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. They should not come to the cities. I wish to introduce this ideal now. Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop. They have made these cities as hell. If people do not cooperate with them, then how will the factories run on? (Letter to Mahamsa Swami, Detroit, August 3, 1975)

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Residences

Every member of a community should have nice housing, and every village should have ponds, flower gardens, picnic areas, pavilions, etc.  The central complex of the community, including the temple, should also include many nice facilities such as flower gardens and parks. The community must also have a large lake, with nice beaches and parks.

One of the key principles that Srila Prabhupada taught is to accept only what is necessary for oneself personally. Extravagance is one of the hallmarks of a degraded society, and is also in opposition to all principles of sustainability.  Therefore there will not be any kind of personal mansions - except for Krsna's temple. 

There is much more on this subject on various pages, including (Providing Necessities) Shelter, Neighborhood Layout, and Community Layout.

Recreation

Like all other activities, the various types of recreation are in goodness, passion, or ignorance.  A community should try to develop types of recreation that are more in the mode of goodness, and less of the types that are in the mode of ignorance. Swimming and wrestling, for example, are considered Vaishnava sports. Facility for horseback riding, archery, sailing or canoeing and other natural sports can also be established.  Various sporting activities are also important especially for children. Dramas and musical entertainment can be arranged in an auditorium or an outdoor amphitheater.

Recreation is also an important part of life.  Krsna says “One who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, working, and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system” (BG 1.6.17.) He does not say “no recreation allowed.”

Recreation includes kirtan, prasadam and festivals. Once a community becomes established we hope to see big festivals where the devotees from nearby cities come together. Rural communities should establish good facilities for these.

Next - Selected Quotes

>>> (Continued)    Prabhupada: Oh, but as you come, come, anyone can come. Everyone is welcome. We don't charge anything for this dancing. You go to ball dance and so many other dances, you pay for it. But we don't charge. We simply, our, these students simply beg something because we have to maintain. We don't charge anything. So if you simply come and chant for recreation, it is very nice. Everything is there in Krsna consciousness. We want music, there is music. We want dancing, there is dancing. You can bring nice musical instruments, you can join. We distribute nice palatable dishes. So practically this is a system of recreation only. (laughter) Yes. If you seriously think, you'll find, this system, there is no labor at all. Simply recreation.  - Bhagavad-gita Lecture, February 13, 1969