ABSTRACT
Any assessment of the performance of key settlements should take account of the efficacy with which this particular policy has fulfilled the stated planning aims and objectives in pressured and remote rural areas. Two objectives are common to both situations, namely:
the concentration of residential and employment growth into selected centres in order that the optimum economic pattern of polarized service and infrastructure provision may be effected.
the use of these centralized facilities to improve or stabilize the opportunities for residents of hinterland settlements.
