Abstract
There are few countries, whether belonging to the developed or developing category, that have not implicitly or explicitly formulated some form of population redistribution policy. In the case of developing countries, such policies have been linked to patterns of deliberate urbanization, and in many cases to the introduction of planned new towns in sparsely populated regions. Controlled urban growth and population distribution are a major means in developing countries of raising the level of economic development, slowing the growth of population, and facilitating social change.' In addition, the fostering of urban centers outside major metropolitan areas may diminish the tendency toward overconcentration of population, aid in the development of local natural resources, and give impetus to modernization of agriculture.2 In some cases, it may also fill a gap in the structural hierarchy of urban places.3 In Israel's case, explicit population dispersal policies have been embedded in national plans since the founding of the state in 1948.' The aim of such policies was to increase the flow of population away from Israel's coastal belt, disperse settlements throughout the country for development and defense purposes, and provide for the integration of new immigrants.5 Israel's New Towns Program, a massive effort at population dispersal, was evolved in response to these needs. It is our hope that there are lessons to
Published Version
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