Comparisons
Qinghai vs. the other two most closely populated regions in China: Ningxia Hui and Hainan
Qinghai in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Qinghai followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Datong. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Xining peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Golmud followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Datong followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease.
How do development practices in Qinghai fare in comparison to others in China? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Qinghai was the 5th-most disconnected out of the 31 regions in China. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in China, street construction in Qinghai has become more disconnected. Qinghai ranked 13th in 1975, 6th in 1976-1990, 3rd in 1991-2005 and 5th in 2006-2020.
Qinghai in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Qinghai is Shangguancun with an SNDi of 7.36, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Ping'an with an SNDi of 1.5, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Ping'an, Shangguancun
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Qinghai peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Datong. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Xining peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Golmud fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Datong followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
To date, Qinghai is the 6th-most disconnected out of the 31 regions in China. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in China, the street network in Qinghai has become more disconnected. Qinghai ranked 13th in 1975, 14th in 1976-1990, 7th in 1991-2005 and 6th in 2006-2020.