In this paper a method of measuring object diversity, based on an appl
ication of a diversity index, is proposed. The problem of finding an a
ppropriate measure of diversity is formulated as a projection from a f
inite-dimensional space onto a one-dimensional space. In such an appro
ach, the measure of diversity is expressed in the form of a one-dimens
ional descriptor (index). Properties of the index, such as exactness o
f measurement of diversity and examination of the behavior of the inde
x as a function in three-dimensional space, are described and illustra
ted. A procedure for normalizing the index and identifying characteris
tic points for the interpretation of the results is proposed. The util
ization of characteristic points and a fuzzy set theory to distinguish
the levels of diversity is also proposed. An application of the metho
d to measure the diversity of the housing stock in local areas of some
Australian cities is presented. A further application of the normaliz
ed diversity index, that is, to find a relationship between housing di
versity and population characteristics in particular areas, is also de
veloped.