Comparisons
Mpumalanga vs. the other two most closely populated regions in South Africa: Free State and Eastern Cape
Mpumalanga in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mpumalanga rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Mpumalanga, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Kanyamazane, Middelburg and eMalahleni. Out of the three cities, Kanyamazane and Middelburg do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kanyamazane followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Middelburg followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Mpumalanga fare in comparison to others in South Africa? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Mpumalanga was the 5th-most disconnected out of the 9 regions in South Africa. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has not changed. Mpumalanga ranked 5th in 1975, 4th in 1976-1990, 5th in 1991-2005 and 5th in 2006-2020.
Mpumalanga in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Mpumalanga is eMalahleni with an SNDi of 4.26, which is sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is eMzinoni with an SNDi of 2.12, which is well-connected. See trends for these cities: eMzinoni, eMalahleni
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Mpumalanga rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Mpumalanga, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Kanyamazane, Middelburg and eMalahleni. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Mpumalanga follow the same region trend.
To date, Mpumalanga is the 5th-most disconnected out of the 9 regions in South Africa. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has not changed. Mpumalanga ranked 5th in 1975, 5th in 1976-1990, 5th in 1991-2005 and 5th in 2006-2020.