Babil: 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 Babil, Iraq on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Babil as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.55, which is in the 40th to 60th percentile of disconnectedness.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 4.51, 2.22, 2.72 and 3.27. The disconnectivity of new streets constructed in Babil fell, then rose. In 1976-1990, new street layouts were the most connected.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in Babil spans a total of 5007 kilometers. It is dominated by roads constructed in 1976-1990. These roads have an SNDi of 2.22, 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 4.51, 2.27, 2.35 and 2.55. The SNDi of the aggregate street network in fell at first, but Babil has worsened in disconnectivity since 1990.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Babil was at its lowest in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Babil, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Hindiya, Al Hillah and Al Madhatiyah. Out of the three cities, Hindiya does not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Hindiya followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Babil fare in comparison to others in Iraq? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in Babil was the 3rd-most disconnected out of the 18 regions in Iraq. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Iraq, street construction in Babil has become more connected. Babil ranked 1st in 1975, 3rd in 1976-1990, 6th in 1991-2000 and 3rd in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in Babil is Al Musaiyib with an SNDi of 3.18, which is in the 40th to 60th percentile of disconnectedness. Conversely, the most connected city is Al Kifl with an SNDi of 1.66, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Al Kifl, Al Musaiyib
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Babil was at its lowest in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Babil, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Hindiya, Al Hillah and Al Madhatiyah. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Babil follow the same region trend.
To date, Babil is the 6th-most disconnected out of the 18 regions in Iraq. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Iraq, the street network in Babil has become more connected. Babil ranked 1st in 1975, 3rd in 1976-1990, 3rd in 1991-2000 and 6th in 2001-2014.