Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Nepal, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Nepal in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Nepal rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Nepal, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Central, East and West. Out of the three regions, East and West do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in East followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in West was at its lowest in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in Nepal fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Nepal was the 133rd-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 Nepal has become more disconnected. Nepal ranked 140th in 1975, 102nd in 1976-1990, 109th in 1991-2005 and 133rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Nepal is Kathmandu, with a population of 2908900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kathmandu as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.19, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kathmandu rose steadily.
Nepal in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Nepal is Laukhi with an SNDi of 8.05, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Tikapur with an SNDi of 2.12, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Tikapur, Laukhi.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Nepal rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Nepal, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Central, East and West. Out of the three regions, West does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in West was at its lowest in 1991-2005.
To date, Nepal is the 132nd-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 Nepal has become more disconnected. Nepal ranked 140th in 1975, 130th in 1976-1990, 128th in 1991-2005 and 132nd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Nepal is Kathmandu, with a population of 2908900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kathmandu as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.19, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kathmandu rose steadily.