Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Canada, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Canada in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Canada peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Canada, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Ontario, Québec and British Columbia. Out of the three regions, Québec does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Québec followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Canada fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Canada was the 49th-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 Canada has become more disconnected. Canada ranked 67th in 1975, 82nd in 1976-1990, 75th in 1991-2005 and 49th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Canada is Toronto, with a population of 5120500 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Toronto as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.7, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Toronto peaked in 1976-1990.
Canada in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Canada is Repentigny with an SNDi of 3.85, which is relatively sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Peterborough with an SNDi of 2.02, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Peterborough, Repentigny.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Canada rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Canada, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Ontario, Québec and British Columbia. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Canada follow the same country trend.
To date, Canada is 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, the street network in Canada has become more disconnected. Canada ranked 67th in 1975, 60th in 1976-1990, 60th in 1991-2005 and 58th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Canada is Toronto, with a population of 5120500 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Toronto as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.7, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Toronto rose steadily.