Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Australia, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Australia in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Australia peaked in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Australia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Australia follow the same country trend.
How do development practices in Australia fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Australia was the 58th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other countries in the world, street construction in Australia has become more disconnected. Australia ranked 87th in 1975, 103rd in 1976-1990, 127th in 1991-2005 and 58th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of 3773800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Sydney as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.23, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Sydney peaked in 1991-2005.
Australia in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Australia is Helensvale with an SNDi of 5.18, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is North Canberra [Canberra] with an SNDi of 1.62, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: North Canberra [Canberra], Helensvale.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Australia rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Australia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Australia follow the same country trend.
To date, Australia is the 91st-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other countries in the world, the street network in Australia has become more connected. Australia ranked 87th in 1975, 91st in 1976-1990, 95th in 1991-2005 and 91st in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of 3773800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Sydney as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.23, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Sydney rose steadily.