Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Laos, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Laos in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Laos followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Laos, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Vientiane [prefecture], Champasak and Louangphrabang. Out of the three regions, Vientiane [prefecture] does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Vientiane [prefecture] rose steadily.
How do development practices in Laos fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Laos was the 145th-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 Laos has become more disconnected. Laos ranked 161st in 1975, 154th in 1976-1990, 141st in 1991-2005 and 145th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Laos is Vientiane, with a population of 208600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Vientiane as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.02, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Vientiane rose steadily.
Laos in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Laos is Luang Prabang with an SNDi of 5.22, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Pakse with an SNDi of 4.14, which is sprawly. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Pakse, Luang Prabang.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Laos rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Laos, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Vientiane [prefecture], Champasak and Louangphrabang. Out of the three regions, Champasak and Louangphrabang do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Champasak followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Louangphrabang followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
To date, Laos is the 153rd-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 Laos has become more disconnected. Laos ranked 161st in 1975, 162nd in 1976-1990, 159th in 1991-2005 and 153rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Laos is Vientiane, with a population of 208600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Vientiane as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.02, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Vientiane rose steadily.