Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Iraq, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Iraq in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Iraq peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Iraq, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Baghdad, Ninawa and Al-Basrah. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Baghdad rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Ninawa peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Al-Basrah rose steadily.
How do development practices in Iraq fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Iraq was the 29th-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 Iraq has become more disconnected. Iraq ranked 82nd in 1975, 54th in 1976-1990, 46th in 1991-2005 and 29th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Iraq is Baghdad, with a population of 5488000 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Baghdad as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.82, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Baghdad rose steadily.
Iraq in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Iraq is Al Mushahidah with an SNDi of 6.26, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Allayi with an SNDi of 1.45, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Allayi, Al Mushahidah.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Iraq rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Iraq, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Baghdad, Ninawa and Al-Basrah. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Iraq follow the same country trend.
To date, Iraq is the 57th-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 Iraq has become more disconnected. Iraq ranked 82nd in 1975, 77th in 1976-1990, 64th in 1991-2005 and 57th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Iraq is Baghdad, with a population of 5488000 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Baghdad as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.82, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Baghdad rose steadily.