Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in New Zealand, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
New Zealand in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in New Zealand peaked in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in New Zealand, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in New Zealand follow the same country trend.
How do development practices in New Zealand fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in New Zealand was the 103rd-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 New Zealand has become more disconnected. New Zealand ranked 113th in 1975, 126th in 1976-1990, 140th in 1991-2005 and 103rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland, with a population of 1304700 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Auckland as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.45, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Auckland peaked in 1991-2005.
New Zealand in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in New Zealand is Tauranga with an SNDi of 5.01, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Dunedin with an SNDi of 2.37, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Dunedin, Tauranga.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in New Zealand rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in New Zealand, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in New Zealand follow the same country trend.
To date, New Zealand is the 107th-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 New Zealand has become more disconnected. New Zealand ranked 113th in 1975, 117th in 1976-1990, 111th in 1991-2005 and 107th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland, with a population of 1304700 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Auckland as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 3.45, which is relatively sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Auckland rose steadily.