The Influence of Military Policy on Algerian Rural Settlement

The rural settlement system of Algeria had long been characterized by a highly dispersed poorly structured pattern until a large proportion of the rural population was resettled by the French army during the War of Independence (1954-1961). Evidence during the 1960s suggested that many of these temporary resettlement [centres] remained in existence. Data from the 1977 population census permitted a sample of the centres to be traced and an assessment to be made of their role in the rural settlement pattern. The acquisition of service functions by the permanent centres was a significant factor in the restructuring of several rural regions. (EXCERPT)