While I appreciate where you're coming from I'm not sure I agree with your suggested changes (and I'm not even sure you agree with them. What do you mean that a community within the ward is a bad idea?) There are hundreds of people at any given moment at the market boards in the major cities, but I wouldn't call my visits there social. I would argue that the more people there are the less likely you'll have social interaction.

If you'd like to get to know your neighbors better; pay them a visit, send a tell, walk to the market boards on their side of the ward and see if anyone wants to talk.