An-Najaf: region in Iraq
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 An-Najaf, Iraq on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in An-Najaf as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.78, which is relatively well-connected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 1.26, 1.16, 1.32 and 2.02. The disconnectivity of new streets constructed in An-Najaf fell, then rose. In 1976-1990, new street layouts were the most connected.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in An-Najaf spans a total of 2603 kilometers. It is dominated by roads constructed in 2001-2014. These roads have an SNDi of 2.02, which is relatively well-connected.
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 1.26, 1.35, 1.35 and 1.78. Disconnectivity in An-Najaf's street network follows a zig-zag trend. In 1975, the region was most disconnected; while it was most connected in 2001-2014.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in An-Najaf was at its lowest in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in An-Najaf, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Najaf and Al Mishkhab. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Najaf followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Al Mishkhab followed a zig-zag trend.
How do development practices in An-Najaf fare in comparison to others in Iraq? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in An-Najaf was the 15th-most disconnected out of the 18 regions in Iraq. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Iraq, street construction in An-Najaf has become more disconnected. An-Najaf ranked 18th in 1975, 16th in 1976-1990, 18th in 1991-2000 and 15th in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in An-Najaf is Najaf with an SNDi of 1.37, which is relatively well-connected. Conversely, the most connected city is Al Mishkhab with an SNDi of 1.31, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Al Mishkhab, Najaf
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in An-Najaf followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in An-Najaf, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Najaf and Al Mishkhab. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Najaf rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Al Mishkhab rose steadily.
To date, An-Najaf is the 17th-most disconnected out of the 18 regions in Iraq. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other regions in Iraq, the street network in An-Najaf has become more disconnected. An-Najaf ranked 18th in 1975, 15th in 1976-1990, 17th in 1991-2000 and 17th in 2001-2014.