Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in North Korea, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
North Korea in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in North Korea peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in North Korea, we can consider three of its most populous regions: P'yŏngyang, P'yŏngan-namdo and Hamgyŏng-namdo. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in P'yŏngyang peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in P'yŏngan-namdo followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Hamgyŏng-namdo peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in North Korea fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in North Korea was 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, street construction in North Korea has become more disconnected. North Korea ranked 173rd in 1975, 169th in 1976-1990, 162nd in 1991-2005 and 153rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in North Korea is P'yŏngyang, with a population of 2790300 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in P'yŏngyang as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.71, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in P'yŏngyang peaked in 1991-2005.
North Korea in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in North Korea is Samchon with an SNDi of 10.43, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Anak with an SNDi of 2.4, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Anak, Samchon.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in North Korea rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in North Korea, we can consider three of its most populous regions: P'yŏngyang, P'yŏngan-namdo and Hamgyŏng-namdo. Out of the three regions, P'yŏngan-namdo does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in P'yŏngan-namdo followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
To date, North Korea is the 167th-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 North Korea has become more disconnected. North Korea ranked 173rd in 1975, 170th in 1976-1990, 169th in 1991-2005 and 167th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in North Korea is P'yŏngyang, with a population of 2790300 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in P'yŏngyang as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.71, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in P'yŏngyang rose steadily.