The need for a Gestalt Theory of neighborhood development was described in this paper. A model based on scale was developed in which small scale represents an isolated Appalachian who depends upon neighbors and kin and large scale represents a person who has developed a large number of relationships so that he is less dependent upon any one of them. In this first effort only gross contrasts between small and large scale were sought. Indicators for ecological, social, and cultural dimensions were used. These were applied to 2 neighborhoods, one small scale and one of a slightly larger scale. It was noted that the differences in scale dimensions tend in the expected directions. A suggestion for further study involved the possibility of longitudinal studies giving more precise program bench marks not only regarding things, but also ideas, persons, and relevant others. (PS)