Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Afghanistan, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Afghanistan in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Afghanistan followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Afghanistan, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Kabul, Hirat and Kandahar. Out of the three regions, Kabul and Hirat do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kabul rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Hirat was at its lowest in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in Afghanistan fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Afghanistan was the 130th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other countries in the world, street construction in Afghanistan has become more disconnected. Afghanistan ranked 143rd in 1975, 132nd in 1976-1990, 125th in 1991-2005 and 130th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Afghanistan is Kabul, with a population of 4335600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kabul as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.8, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kabul rose steadily.
Afghanistan in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Afghanistan is Darzab with an SNDi of 11.69, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Gawaki with an SNDi of 1.72, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Gawaki, Darzab.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Afghanistan rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Afghanistan, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Kabul, Hirat and Kandahar. Out of the three regions, Hirat does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Hirat was at its lowest in 1991-2005.
To date, Afghanistan is the 134th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other countries in the world, the street network in Afghanistan has become more disconnected. Afghanistan ranked 143rd in 1975, 139th in 1976-1990, 134th in 1991-2005 and 134th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Afghanistan is Kabul, with a population of 4335600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kabul as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.8, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kabul rose steadily.