The classification of Netivot as a town by the Ministry of the Interior was the climax of a multi-year struggle by the town's leaders. In recent years, they battled with many bodies to implement development plans, expand the settlement, and increase its population. They also waged an uncompromising struggle to obtain land from the neighboring Azata Regional Council.
While Netivot is perceived as a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) town that makes most of its living from people who visit the tombs of revered Jewish righteous men located in the town, and highly esteemed rabbis who are still living, this reputation is not necessarily valid, says Mayor Yehiel Zohar. Due to its geographic location, Zohar says, it attracts diverse populations, including many members from the surrounding moshavim (cooperative settlements). The town’s population is growing by a yearly average of 8%, and currently numbers about 22,000. Evidence of this growth can be seen in the construction of residential units underway in most of the town’s neighborhoods.
Under the town’s plan, the number of residents is scheduled to reach 30,000 by 2005. The town currently covers about 6,000 dunam (1,500 acres), of which 90% has already been developed. Plans already exist for the remaining space and are scheduled to be implemented in the coming years. It was decided to conduct a campaign to get land from the Azata Regional Council in order to facilitate the building of additional residential units.
Thirty months ago, the city council submitted a plan for the town’s expansion, which was presented to the district planning and building committee, and the Ministry of the Interior. The plan was based on getting enough land from Azata to double the town’s size. The town planned to expand toward the north. The city council believed that it would only be able to realize its expansion plans if it gained more land, thereby increasing its population and allowing more people to move to the town.
A planning and steering committee was set up. The plan takes into account the forecast that the number of Netivot residents will reach 50,000 by 2020. It should be noted that according to the Beersheva metropolitan plan, Netivot is slated to be a secondary metropolis, serving as a commercial and service center for western Negev residents.
Overall housing units in the advanced construction stages are currently estimated at 2,000, and most are being built in the framework of the “build your own home” plan in the Kiryat Menachem neighborhood. Annual demand in Netivot is estimated at 600-700 residential units.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on April 1, 2001