Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Namibia, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Namibia in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Namibia peaked in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Namibia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Khomas, Erongo and Kavango. Out of the three regions, Erongo and Kavango do not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Erongo fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kavango rose steadily.
How do development practices in Namibia fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Namibia was the 17th-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 Namibia has become more disconnected. Namibia ranked 32nd in 1975, 15th in 1976-1990, 43rd in 1991-2005 and 17th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Namibia is Windhoek, with a population of 344200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Windhoek as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.13, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Windhoek peaked in 1991-2005.
Namibia in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Namibia is Windhoek with an SNDi of 3.13, which is moderately connected. Conversely, the most connected city is Rundu with an SNDi of 1.84, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Rundu, Windhoek.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Namibia rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Namibia, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Khomas, Erongo and Kavango. Out of the three regions, Erongo does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Erongo fell steadily.
To date, Namibia is the 30th-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 Namibia has become more disconnected. Namibia ranked 32nd in 1975, 29th in 1976-1990, 35th in 1991-2005 and 30th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Namibia is Windhoek, with a population of 344200 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Windhoek as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.13, which is moderately connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Windhoek rose steadily.