Evolution of Street Networks in Adriatic and Ionian Coastal Cities 1769-2007

Coastal cities in the Adriatic and Ionian region are studied according to three evolution stages spanning from the end of eighteenth century to the present. The urban growth during this period has occurred according to successive additions without significant modifications of inner city areas. Street networks are represented with linear maps and are analyzed according to measures of connectivity and integration. The study shows that cities tend to become consistently less connected and more biased; and they tend to become consistently less integrated as they evolve over the years. The evolution trends are attributed to various configurations of street patterns of urban additions and to generic aspects of growth. The study suggests projections for the evolution of street networks in the future.