Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Kenya, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Kenya in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kenya rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Kenya, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru. Out of the three regions, Nairobi and Mombasa do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Nairobi peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mombasa peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in Kenya fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Kenya was the 121st-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 Kenya has become more disconnected. Kenya ranked 149th in 1975, 124th in 1976-1990, 126th in 1991-2005 and 121st in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Kenya is Nairobi, with a population of 4708200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Nairobi as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.03, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Nairobi peaked in 1976-1990.
Kenya in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Kenya is Lulis with an SNDi of 8.95, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Ifo Refugee Camp with an SNDi of 1.49, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Ifo Refugee Camp, Lulis.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kenya rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Kenya, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru. Out of the three regions, Nairobi does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Nairobi peaked in 1991-2005.
To date, Kenya is the 138th-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 Kenya has become more disconnected. Kenya ranked 149th in 1975, 141st in 1976-1990, 138th in 1991-2005 and 138th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Kenya is Nairobi, with a population of 4708200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Nairobi as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.03, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Nairobi peaked in 1991-2005.