Hirat: region in Afghanistan
What exactly constitutes the spatial extent of the city? For these aggregations, we used the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database (GHS-UCDB) to define the boundaries of the city. These cities -- or urban centers -- cover areas that are densely populated and built-up, and so may extend beyond the spatial borders of these cities that we may be familiar with. The GHS area is shaded in blue.
View Hirat, Afghanistan on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Hirat as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.38, which is highly disconnected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 5.11, 4.55, 4.78 and 2.59. Disconnectivity in street construction in Hirat follows a zig-zag trend. In 2001-2014, street construction was most disconnected, while construction was most connected in 1975.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in Hirat spans a total of 4998 kilometers. It is dominated by roads constructed prior to 1975. These roads have an SNDi of 5.11, which is highly disconnected.
Effect on the aggregate network: New construction in each period adds to the total stock of streets, but does not change streets that have already been built. Therefore, it has a limited effect on the street network as a whole. The SNDis of the aggregate street network in the respective time periods are 5.11, 5.01, 5.01 and 4.38. Disconnectivity in Hirat's street network follows a zig-zag trend. In 2001-2014, the region was most disconnected; while it was most connected in 1975.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Hirat followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Hirat, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Herat, Guzarah and Toraghundi. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Herat was at its lowest in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Guzarah followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Toraghundi peaked in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in Hirat fare in comparison to others in Afghanistan? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in Hirat was the 15th-most disconnected out of the 25 regions in Afghanistan. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Afghanistan, street construction in Hirat has become more disconnected. Hirat ranked 16th in 1975, 6th in 1976-1990, 10th in 1991-2000 and 15th in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in Hirat is Toraghundi with an SNDi of 4.15, which is highly disconnected. Conversely, the most connected city is Shindand with an SNDi of 0.78, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Shindand, Toraghundi
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Hirat followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Hirat, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Herat, Guzarah and Toraghundi. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Herat fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Guzarah fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Toraghundi peaked in 1976-1990.
To date, Hirat is the 18th-most disconnected out of the 25 regions in Afghanistan. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Afghanistan, the street network in Hirat has become more connected. Hirat ranked 16th in 1975, 16th in 1976-1990, 15th in 1991-2000 and 18th in 2001-2014.