Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Lebanon, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Lebanon in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Lebanon rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Lebanon, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Mount Lebanon, North and South. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mount Lebanon followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in North peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in South peaked in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in Lebanon fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Lebanon was the 155th-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 Lebanon has become more disconnected. Lebanon ranked 172nd in 1975, 164th in 1976-1990, 158th in 1991-2005 and 155th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Lebanon is Beirut, with a population of 1816100 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Beirut as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.75, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Beirut rose steadily.
Lebanon in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Lebanon is Aamchit [Byblos] with an SNDi of 6.65, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Tripoli with an SNDi of 2.35, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Tripoli, Aamchit [Byblos].
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Lebanon rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Lebanon, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Mount Lebanon, North and South. Out of the three regions, South does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in South peaked in 1976-1990.
To date, Lebanon is the 161st-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 Lebanon has become more disconnected. Lebanon ranked 172nd in 1975, 165th in 1976-1990, 164th in 1991-2005 and 161st in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Lebanon is Beirut, with a population of 1816100 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Beirut as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.75, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Beirut rose steadily.