Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Palestine, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Palestine in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Palestine peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Palestine, we can consider two of its most populous regions: West Bank and Gaza. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in West Bank followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Gaza peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in Palestine fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Palestine was the 118th-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 Palestine has become more disconnected. Palestine ranked 154th in 1975, 142nd in 1976-1990, 131st in 1991-2005 and 118th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Palestine is Gaza, with a population of 856800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Gaza as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.42, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Gaza rose steadily.
Palestine in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Palestine is Beitar Ilit with an SNDi of 6.28, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Gaza with an SNDi of 2.42, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Gaza, Beitar Ilit.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Palestine rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Palestine, we can consider two of its most populous regions: West Bank and Gaza. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in West Bank followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Gaza peaked in 1991-2005.
To date, Palestine is the 140th-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 Palestine has become more disconnected. Palestine ranked 154th in 1975, 151st in 1976-1990, 147th in 1991-2005 and 140th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Palestine is Gaza, with a population of 856800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Gaza as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.42, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Gaza rose steadily.