Mashonaland Central: region in Zimbabwe
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 Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Mashonaland Central as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.41, which is highly disconnected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 3.31, 3.16, 3.59 and 3.59. Disconnectivity in street construction in Mashonaland Central follows a zig-zag trend. In 1976-1990, street construction was most disconnected, while construction was most connected in 1991-2000.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in Mashonaland Central spans a total of 4273 kilometers. It is dominated by roads constructed in 2001-2014. These roads have an SNDi of 3.59, 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 3.31, 3.2, 3.4 and 3.41. The SNDi of the aggregate street network in fell at first, but Mashonaland Central has worsened in disconnectivity since 1990.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mashonaland Central followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Mashonaland Central, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Bindura and Mvurwi. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Bindura rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Mvurwi followed a zig-zag trend.
How do development practices in Mashonaland Central fare in comparison to others in Zimbabwe? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in Mashonaland Central was the 4th-most disconnected out of the 8 regions in Zimbabwe. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Zimbabwe, street construction in Mashonaland Central has become more connected. Mashonaland Central ranked 2nd in 1975, 3rd in 1976-1990, 5th in 1991-2000 and 4th in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in Mashonaland Central is Bindura with an SNDi of 3.11, which is in the 40th to 60th percentile of disconnectedness. Conversely, the most connected city is Mvurwi with an SNDi of 2.02, which is relatively well-connected. See trends for these cities: Mvurwi, Bindura
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Mashonaland Central was at its lowest in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Mashonaland Central, we can consider two of its most populous cities: Bindura and Mvurwi. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Bindura rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Mvurwi followed a zig-zag trend.
To date, Mashonaland Central is the 3rd-most disconnected out of the 8 regions in Zimbabwe. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in Zimbabwe, the street network in Mashonaland Central has become more connected. Mashonaland Central ranked 2nd in 1975, 3rd in 1976-1990, 3rd in 1991-2000 and 3rd in 2001-2014.