The Impact of New Towns in Rural Regions on Population Redistribution in Israel.

Population redistribution policy in Israel is facilitated through its rurally located new towns. The policy objective of drawing population away from the coastal belt has been consistent and forcefully implemented by various government administrative means. Initially populated by newly arriving immigrants, the towns presently rely upon voluntary migrants for population growth. Utilizing the continuous population register available in Israel, it became clear that the trend of net population flow has not been outward but inward--from rural regions toward the coastal belt. The new towns appear to be the prime suppliers of this population movement. Further analysis indicates that small, rather than large, towns are the major sources of this flow. Differential net flow rates reveal a major loss of the population who have higher socioeconomic levels. Yet, the towns continue to attract population and retain them in larger urban areas. Understanding the "revolving door" migrant exchange within the towns may be a key in obtaining optimal population distribution in Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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