Comparisons
Mbeya vs. the other two most closely populated regions in Tanzania: Kigoma and Arusha
Mbeya in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mbeya was at its lowest in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Mbeya, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Mbeya, Mbalizi and Kyela. Out of the three cities, Mbalizi and Kyela do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mbalizi followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kyela was at its lowest in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in Mbeya fare in comparison to others in Tanzania? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Mbeya was the 13th-most disconnected out of the 25 regions in Tanzania. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Tanzania, street construction in Mbeya has become more disconnected. Mbeya ranked 18th in 1975, 15th in 1976-1990, 12th in 1991-2005 and 13th in 2006-2020.
Mbeya in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Mbeya is Mbalizi with an SNDi of 2.74, which is relatively well-connected. Conversely, the most connected city is Mbeya with an SNDi of 2.51, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Mbeya, Mbalizi
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Mbeya was at its lowest in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Mbeya, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Mbeya, Mbalizi and Kyela. Out of the three cities, Mbalizi and Kyela do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Mbalizi rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kyela was at its lowest in 1976-1990.
To date, Mbeya is the 15th-most disconnected out of the 25 regions in Tanzania. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Tanzania, the street network in Mbeya has become more disconnected. Mbeya ranked 18th in 1975, 18th in 1976-1990, 16th in 1991-2005 and 15th in 2006-2020.