Human scale in economics means supporting individual entrepreneurs and local businesses. Human scale in community means a strong neighbourhood focus and an environment that encourages everyday interaction. Too often the institutions that operate on a first-name basis are displaced by large anonymous organizations. Creating a strong local network of services, retail, civic, and commercial uses is central to putting physical identity and human scale back into a neighbourhood. Human scale in community means a strong neighbourhood focus and an environment that encourages everyday interaction.
Diversity is a key concept for creating resilient economies and rich local cultures.
Heterogeneous communities have qualities that can generate opportunities for individuals and families. For example, mixed socioeconomic neighbourhoods can provide a range of positive role models for struggling youths, and ' neighbourhoods with a broad age distribution can attain stability by allowing people to age in place. The greatest challenges and opportunities exist in neighbourhoods with cultural and racial diversity. Communities should seek balance in their economic, physical, and human development. Balanced social development requires diversifying the job base rather than becoming dependent on any one major employer or market, public or private.