The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Hamgyŏng-bukto followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Hamgyŏng-bukto, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Chŏngjin, Kimch'aek and 길주읍. Out of the three cities, Chŏngjin does not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Chŏngjin peaked in 1976-1990.

How do development practices in Hamgyŏng-bukto fare in comparison to others in North Korea? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Hamgyŏng-bukto was the 5th-most disconnected out of the 13 regions in North Korea. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in North Korea, street construction in Hamgyŏng-bukto has become more connected. Hamgyŏng-bukto ranked 4th in 1975, 6th in 1976-1990, 1st in 1991-2005 and 5th in 2006-2020.

As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Hamgyŏng-bukto is Musan with an SNDi of 5.79, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Onsong with an SNDi of 4.11, which is sprawly. See trends for these cities: Onsong, Musan

The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Hamgyŏng-bukto followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Hamgyŏng-bukto, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Chŏngjin, Kimch'aek and 길주읍. Out of the three cities, Chŏngjin and Kimch'aek do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Chŏngjin peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Kimch'aek rose steadily.

To date, Hamgyŏng-bukto is the 4th-most disconnected out of the 13 regions in North Korea. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has not changed. Hamgyŏng-bukto ranked 4th in 1975, 4th in 1976-1990, 4th in 1991-2005 and 4th in 2006-2020.