The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Shabwah followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Shabwah, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Bayhan and `Ataq. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Bayhan rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in `Ataq peaked in 1976-1990.

How do development practices in Shabwah fare in comparison to others in Yemen? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Shabwah was the 10th-most disconnected out of the 15 regions in Yemen. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Yemen, street construction in Shabwah has become more disconnected. Shabwah ranked 11th in 1975, 13th in 1976-1990, 5th in 1991-2005 and 10th in 2006-2020.

As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Shabwah is Bayhan with an SNDi of 3.82, which is relatively sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is `Ataq with an SNDi of 2.2, which is well-connected. See trends for these cities: `Ataq, Bayhan

The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Shabwah peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Shabwah, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Bayhan and `Ataq. Out of the two cities, Bayhan does not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Bayhan rose steadily.

To date, Shabwah is the 11th-most disconnected out of the 15 regions in Yemen. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has not changed. Shabwah ranked 11th in 1975, 12th in 1976-1990, 12th in 1991-2005 and 11th in 2006-2020.