Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Japan, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Japan in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Japan followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Japan, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Saitama, Osaka and Aichi. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Japan follow the same country trend.
How do development practices in Japan fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Japan was 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, street construction in Japan has become more disconnected. Japan ranked 23rd in 1975, 31st in 1976-1990, 22nd in 1991-2005 and 15th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Japan is Tokyo, with a population of 33195700 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Tokyo as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.11, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Tokyo followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
Japan in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Japan is Onomichi with an SNDi of 4.0, which is sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Yamagata with an SNDi of 1.29, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Yamagata, Onomichi.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Japan rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Japan, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Saitama, Osaka and Aichi. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Japan follow the same country trend.
To date, Japan is the 12th-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 Japan has become more disconnected. Japan ranked 23rd in 1975, 17th in 1976-1990, 18th in 1991-2005 and 12th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Japan is Tokyo, with a population of 33195700 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Tokyo as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.11, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Tokyo rose steadily.