Comparisons
Sicily vs. the other two most closely populated regions in Italy: Piemonte and Emilia-Romagna
Sicily in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Sicily rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Sicily, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Palermo, Catania and Messina. Out of the three cities, Palermo and Messina do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Palermo peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Messina peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in Sicily fare in comparison to others in Italy? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Sicily was the 14th-most disconnected out of the 17 regions in Italy. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Italy, street construction in Sicily has become more connected. Sicily ranked 3rd in 1975, 7th in 1976-1990, 13th in 1991-2005 and 14th in 2006-2020.
Sicily in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Sicily is Messina with an SNDi of 3.48, which is relatively sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Trapani with an SNDi of 1.91, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Trapani, Messina
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Sicily rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Sicily, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Palermo, Catania and Messina. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Sicily follow the same region trend.
To date, Sicily is the 4th-most disconnected out of the 17 regions in Italy. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Italy, the street network in Sicily has become more connected. Sicily ranked 3rd in 1975, 3rd in 1976-1990, 4th in 1991-2005 and 4th in 2006-2020.