Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Botswana, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Botswana in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Botswana peaked in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Botswana, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Gaborone, Kweneng and Francistown. Out of the three regions, Gaborone and Kweneng do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Gaborone peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kweneng followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Botswana fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Botswana was the 13th-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 Botswana has become more disconnected. Botswana ranked 30th in 1975, 13th in 1976-1990, 23rd in 1991-2005 and 13th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Botswana is Gaborone, with a population of 239200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Gaborone as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.2, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Gaborone followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease.
Botswana in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Botswana is Francistown with an SNDi of 3.56, which is relatively sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Mahalapye with an SNDi of 1.64, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Mahalapye, Francistown.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Botswana rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Botswana, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Gaborone, Kweneng and Francistown. Out of the three regions, Gaborone does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Gaborone peaked in 1991-2005.
To date, Botswana is the 23rd-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 Botswana has become more disconnected. Botswana ranked 30th in 1975, 25th in 1976-1990, 24th in 1991-2005 and 23rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Botswana is Gaborone, with a population of 239200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Gaborone as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.2, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Gaborone fell steadily.