SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between the structure of transport network and urban growth in the region of the Panjab (Pakistan). This is an area where the growth of urban population had been gradual between 1881 and 1921, but accelerated in the later decades. The study looks at these temporal changes and traces the factors responsible. The temporal relationship between transportation and urban growth is discussed at regional and sub-regional levels and is used as the basis for the examination of additional factors, such as the physical environment, location and commercialization. In addition, different aspects of urban connectivity are discussed and measured through the application of graph theory where a matrix representation of the network accessibility surface at different time periods is also obtained by powering the matrices of connectivity between pairs of nodes. The inter-relationship between changes in accessibility to the road network and urban growth in the region is examined quantitatively at different levels by the application of simple and partial correlations. By comparing the correlation of five divisions (of wide contrast) a leading role of transportation in the process of urban development is assessed. Finally the conclusions are derived with the application of regression analysis, by relating the district level indices of transportation to the indices representing the socio-economic conditions of districts (1971).