Planning in the Face of Crisis: Land Use, Housing, and Mass Immigration in Israel

by Rachelle Alterman

Overview

Critics of urban and regional planning argue that it is best suited to manage incremental change. Can a planner's skills and expertise be effective in handling a major crisis and large-scale change? The mass immigration from the former Soviet Union to Israel in the 1990s offers the opportunity to study one of the largest-scale (non-disaster) crisis situations in a democratic, advanced-economy country. This book recounts the fascinating saga of how policymakers and planners at both the national and local levels responded to the formidable demand for housing and massive urban growth. Planners forged new housing and land-use policies, and applied a streamlined (but controversial) planning law. The outputs were impressive. The outcomes and impacts changed the landscape and human-scape of Israel, heightening dilemmas of land use and urban policy in this high-density country.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415273848
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/14/2002
Series:	Cities and Regions: Planning, Policy and Management Series
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rachelle Alterman is Professor and Head of the Graduate Programme in Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Israel Institute of Technology, Technion, Haifa, Israel. She is also holder of the David Azrieli Chair.

Table of Contents

Part I: Theories about Planning During Crises. Part II: Land Policy, Housing, and Planning on the Eve of the Crisis. Part III: Phases and Modes of Policy Response to the Crisis. Part IV: The Local Government Perspective. Part V: Planning in the Face of Crisis.

Editorial Reviews

'Alterman illustrates that there really is not anything quite as practical as a good theory. Profeesor Alterman displays considerable knowledge of European and North American Planning. Planning in the Face of Crisis makes a significant contribution to the theory of planning. Much can be gleaned that should be helpful to other situations.' Frederick Steiner, Journal of Planning Education and Research

'Taken as a whole, this is a very readable and well-illustrated book that provides much food for thought about the ways in which we deal with unexpected events.' - Duncan Sim, Planning Perspectives

'This significant work does ... apply broadly to developed societies with strong planning institutions and capacities.' - Deborah F. shmueli, APA Journal

'Alterman Illustrates that there really is not anything quite as practical as a good theory. Profeesor Alterman displays considerable knowledge of European and North American Planning. Planning in the Face of Crisis makes a significant contribution to the theory of planning. Much can be gleaned that should be helpful to other situations.' - Frederick Steiner, Journal of Planning Education and Research

'Alterman has written a "page turner" ... leading to the wholesome conclusion that planning does not necessarily fail us during crises.' - TPR

'Taken as a whole, this is a very readable and well-illustrated book that provides much food for thought about the ways in which we deal with unexpected events.' - Duncan Sim, Planning Perspectives

From the Publisher