Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Syria, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Syria in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Syria followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Syria, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Rif Dimashq, Aleppo and Hims. Out of the three regions, Rif Dimashq does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Rif Dimashq rose steadily.
How do development practices in Syria fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Syria was the 50th-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 Syria has become more disconnected. Syria ranked 53rd in 1975, 59th in 1976-1990, 52nd in 1991-2005 and 50th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Syria is Damascus, with a population of 2977500 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Damascus as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.22, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Damascus rose steadily.
Syria in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Syria is Qudsayya with an SNDi of 5.04, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Nawa with an SNDi of 1.04, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Nawa, Qudsayya.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Syria rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Syria, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Rif Dimashq, Aleppo and Hims. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Syria follow the same country trend.
To date, Syria is the 42nd-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 Syria has become more disconnected. Syria ranked 53rd in 1975, 48th in 1976-1990, 48th in 1991-2005 and 42nd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Syria is Damascus, with a population of 2977500 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Damascus as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.22, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Damascus rose steadily.