Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Jamaica, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Jamaica in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Jamaica rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Jamaica, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Saint Andrew, Saint Catherine and Saint James. Out of the three regions, Saint Andrew and Saint James do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Saint Andrew peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Saint James followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in Jamaica fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Jamaica was the 163rd-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 Jamaica has become more connected. Jamaica ranked 152nd in 1975, 165th in 1976-1990, 165th in 1991-2005 and 163rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Jamaica is Kingston, with a population of 608400 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kingston as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.24, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kingston peaked in 1991-2005.
Jamaica in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Jamaica is Mandeville with an SNDi of 6.07, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Kingston with an SNDi of 4.24, which is sprawly. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Kingston, Mandeville.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Jamaica rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Jamaica, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Saint Andrew, Saint Catherine and Saint James. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Jamaica follow the same country trend.
To date, Jamaica is the 157th-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 Jamaica has become more connected. Jamaica ranked 152nd in 1975, 157th in 1976-1990, 162nd in 1991-2005 and 157th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Jamaica is Kingston, with a population of 608400 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Kingston as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.24, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kingston rose steadily.