Esfahan: region in Iran
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 Esfahan, Iran on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Esfahan as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.47, which is highly disconnected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 3.85, 3.08, 3.28 and 3.21. Disconnectivity in street construction in Esfahan follows a zig-zag trend. In 1976-1990, street construction was most disconnected, while construction was most connected in 1975.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in Esfahan spans a total of 24778 kilometers. The period with the greatest volume of street construction was 1975. These roads have an SNDi of 3.85, 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 3.85, 3.57, 3.54 and 3.47. Overall, the SNDi of the aggregate street network has fallen: the street network in Esfahan has become more connected.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Esfahan followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Esfahan, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Isfahan, Kashan and Najafabad. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Isfahan fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kashan fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Najafabad was at its lowest in 1991-2000.
How do development practices in Esfahan fare in comparison to others in Iran? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in Esfahan was the 22nd-most disconnected out of the 31 regions in Iran. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Iran, street construction in Esfahan has become more connected. Esfahan ranked 16th in 1975, 8th in 1976-1990, 16th in 1991-2000 and 22nd in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in Esfahan is Baharestan with an SNDi of 4.68, which is highly disconnected. Conversely, the most connected city is Zarrinshahr with an SNDi of 0.14, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Zarrinshahr, Baharestan
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Esfahan fell steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Esfahan, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Isfahan, Kashan and Najafabad. Out of the three cities, Najafabad does not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Najafabad was at its lowest in 1991-2000.
To date, Esfahan is the 12th-most disconnected out of the 31 regions in Iran. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Iran, the street network in Esfahan has become more disconnected. Esfahan ranked 16th in 1975, 7th in 1976-1990, 9th in 1991-2000 and 12th in 2001-2014.