Qinghai: region in China
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 Qinghai, China on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Qinghai as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.36, which is highly disconnected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 3.55, 2.96, 4.25 and 2.92. Disconnectivity in street construction in Qinghai follows a zig-zag trend. In 2001-2014, street construction was most disconnected, while construction was most connected in 1991-2000.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in Qinghai spans a total of 12222 kilometers. It is dominated by roads constructed in 2001-2014. These roads have an SNDi of 2.92, which is in the 40th to 60th percentile of disconnectedness.
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 3.55, 3.22, 3.48 and 3.36. Disconnectivity in Qinghai's street network follows a zig-zag trend. In 1976-1990, the region was most disconnected; while it was most connected in 1975.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Qinghai followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Pengjiazhai. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Xining peaked in 1991-2000. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Golmud followed a zig-zag trend. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Pengjiazhai followed a zig-zag trend.
How do development practices in Qinghai fare in comparison to others in China? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in Qinghai was the 21st-most disconnected out of the 34 regions in China. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in China, street construction in Qinghai has become more connected. Qinghai ranked 8th in 1975, 20th in 1976-1990, 4th in 1991-2000 and 21st in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in Qinghai is Huangjiazhai with an SNDi of 3.4, which is highly disconnected. Conversely, the most connected city is Minhe with an SNDi of 1.26, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Minhe, Huangjiazhai
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Qinghai followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Pengjiazhai. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Xining peaked in 1991-2000. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Golmud followed a zig-zag trend. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Pengjiazhai rose steadily.
To date, Qinghai is the 13th-most disconnected out of the 34 regions in China. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in China, the street network in Qinghai has become more connected. Qinghai ranked 8th in 1975, 16th in 1976-1990, 14th in 1991-2000 and 13th in 2001-2014.