Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Estonia, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Estonia in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Estonia rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Estonia, we can consider two of its most populous regions: Harju and Tartu. Out of the two regions, Harju does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Harju followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Estonia fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Estonia was the 36th-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, street construction in Estonia has become more connected. Estonia ranked 18th in 1975, 26th in 1976-1990, 35th in 1991-2005 and 36th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Estonia is Tallinn, with a population of 396800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Tallinn as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.49, which is very well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Tallinn rose steadily.
Estonia in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Estonia is Tartu with an SNDi of 1.72, which is very well-connected. Conversely, the most connected city is Tallinn with an SNDi of 1.49, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Tallinn, Tartu.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Estonia rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Estonia, we can consider two of its most populous regions: Harju and Tartu. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Estonia follow the same country trend.
To date, Estonia is the 15th-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 Estonia has become more disconnected. Estonia ranked 18th in 1975, 14th in 1976-1990, 15th in 1991-2005 and 15th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Estonia is Tallinn, with a population of 396800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Tallinn as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.49, which is very well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Tallinn rose steadily.