ABSTRACT
The redistribution of population, whether directed or spontaneous, can do no more than the alleviate problems in limited areas and for relatively limited numbers of people. Transferences of population on sufficiently large scales to make major impact are logistically impossible. Planned movement may involve very direct, specific and possibly drastic official action in order to attain desired ends. Spontaneous movement is not literally spontaneous but is influenced by the degrees of the pressure, encouragement and incentive applied indirectly by environmental, political, social and economic forces. However, benefits of a limited but worthwhile nature can be achieved through the redistributing of population within countries - through the development of empty or sparsely populated areas, in the concentration of population in areas which offer the best potential for economic development, and by adjustments in the balance between the urban and rural sectors.
