Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Democratic Republic of the Congo, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Democratic Republic of the Congo in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Democratic Republic of the Congo followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Democratic Republic of the Congo, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Kinshasa, Nord-Kivu and Haut-Katanga. Out of the three regions, Kinshasa and Haut-Katanga do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kinshasa rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Haut-Katanga peaked in 1976-1990.
How do development practices in Democratic Republic of the Congo fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Democratic Republic of the Congo was the 107th-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 Democratic Republic of the Congo has become more disconnected. Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked 115th in 1975, 114th in 1976-1990, 73rd in 1991-2005 and 107th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Democratic Republic of the Congo is Kinshasa, with a population of 7777900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kinshasa as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.15, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kinshasa peaked in 1991-2005.
Democratic Republic of the Congo in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Democratic Republic of the Congo is Lingi with an SNDi of 13.49, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Bena Muganda with an SNDi of 0.22, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Bena Muganda, Lingi.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Democratic Republic of the Congo followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Democratic Republic of the Congo, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Kinshasa, Nord-Kivu and Haut-Katanga. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kinshasa rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Nord-Kivu rose steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Haut-Katanga peaked in 1976-1990.
To date, Democratic Republic of the Congo is the 117th-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 Democratic Republic of the Congo has become more connected. Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked 115th in 1975, 120th in 1976-1990, 112th in 1991-2005 and 117th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Democratic Republic of the Congo is Kinshasa, with a population of 7777900 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kinshasa as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.15, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kinshasa rose steadily.