The Community Resource Unit is an aggregation of Neighborhood Resource Units
in which face-to-face relationships and strong caretaking systems are most
evident. It shows the "catchment" area of a community, or its zone of influence,
beyond which people relate to another community. Geographic features or settlement
patterns often determine these boundaries. In rural areas, it captures the
perception of local residents that certain areas outside of town are part
of the town. In urban areas, it reflects the perception that there are sections
of the city with unique identities and patterns that can be distinguished
from other sections of the same city.
Community Resource Units aggregate to form Human Resource Units in the Natural Borders mapping system.