subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. the former single piece as a whole is then known in the united states as a subdivision. subdivisions may be simple, involving only a single seller and buyer, or complex, involving large tracts of land divided into many smaller parcels. if it is used for housing it is typically known as a "housing subdivision" or "housing development," although some developers tend to call these areas communities.