This article evaluates the basic principles of the spatial organization of complex development projects on the city's territory and characteristics of some modern commercially successful projects. Today complex development projects are one of the main types of constructions, which can be a part of sustainable urban development. "The XXI century – time of the cities", sounded in the decision of the congress of the International Union of architects of 1999 in Beijing. More than a half of the population of Earth lives in the urbanized territories, and this share will grow in the future only, at the expense of a proceeding "explosive" urbanization of developing countries. Basing on the analysis of several modern Russian examples, we made some conclusions about the most important strategic decisions in the areas of planning, zoning and architecture, which provide integrated development project creating a high quality urban environment.