Spatial Analysis of Kuwait Street Networks

Abstract

Objective: Since only little is known about street networks (SNs) in developing countries, the overarching aim of this study is to spatially analyze Kuwait SN griddedness, transportation efficiency, and connectivity, using several indicators (i.e., orientation-order, street circuity, average street length, average node degree, proportion of dead-ends, and proportion of four-way intersections). Methodology: This work utilizes the python package OSMnx which obtains, models, and analyzes the open-sourced data repository OpenStreetMap to analyze the Kuwait built environment. This analysis has been complemented with qualitative information. Results: the key findings are: (I) orientation-order is lowest in some of the coastal areas and high in some modular residential areas; (II) Furthermore, compared to residential areas, non-residential areas have coarse-grained SNs, lower intersections connectivity and higher street circuity. Conclusion: Through acknowledging these features, more sustainable urban planning can be undertaken for expanding the built area in Kuwait. Further, the obtained data was made available for conducting further studies.