Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Saudi Arabia, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Saudi Arabia in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Saudi Arabia followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Saudi Arabia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Ar Riyad, Makkah and Ash-Sharqīyah. Out of the three regions, Ar Riyad and Ash-Sharqīyah do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Ar Riyad rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Ash-Sharqīyah rose steadily.
How do development practices in Saudi Arabia fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Saudi Arabia was the 62nd-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 Saudi Arabia has become more disconnected. Saudi Arabia ranked 83rd in 1975, 63rd in 1976-1990, 61st in 1991-2005 and 62nd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Saudi Arabia is Riyadh, with a population of 6366900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Riyadh as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.78, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Riyadh rose steadily.
Saudi Arabia in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Saudi Arabia is Dammam with an SNDi of 5.12, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Rafha with an SNDi of 1.65, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Rafha, Dammam.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Saudi Arabia rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Saudi Arabia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Ar Riyad, Makkah and Ash-Sharqīyah. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Saudi Arabia follow the same country trend.
To date, Saudi Arabia is the 73rd-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 Saudi Arabia has become more disconnected. Saudi Arabia ranked 83rd in 1975, 81st in 1976-1990, 79th in 1991-2005 and 73rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Saudi Arabia is Riyadh, with a population of 6366900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Riyadh as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.78, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Riyadh rose steadily.