Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Puerto Rico, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Puerto Rico in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Puerto Rico peaked in 1991-2005. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Puerto Rico, we can consider three of its most populous regions: San Juan, Caguas and Ponce. Out of the three regions, Caguas does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Caguas rose steadily.
How do development practices in Puerto Rico fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Puerto Rico was the 177th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other countries in the world, street construction in Puerto Rico has become more connected. Puerto Rico ranked 166th in 1975, 176th in 1976-1990, 179th in 1991-2005 and 177th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Puerto Rico is Bayamón [San Juan], with a population of 894800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Bayamón [San Juan] as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.55, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Bayamón [San Juan] peaked in 1991-2005.
Puerto Rico in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Puerto Rico is Caguas with an SNDi of 6.58, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Ponce with an SNDi of 3.8, which is relatively sprawly. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Ponce, Caguas.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Puerto Rico rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Puerto Rico, we can consider three of its most populous regions: San Juan, Caguas and Ponce. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Puerto Rico follow the same country trend.
To date, Puerto Rico is the 174th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other countries in the world, the street network in Puerto Rico has become more connected. Puerto Rico ranked 166th in 1975, 172nd in 1976-1990, 174th in 1991-2005 and 174th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Puerto Rico is Bayamón [San Juan], with a population of 894800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Bayamón [San Juan] as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 5.55, which is very sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Bayamón [San Juan] rose steadily.