Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in South Africa, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
South Africa in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in South Africa rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in South Africa, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Out of the three regions, Gauteng does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Gauteng peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in South Africa fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in South Africa was the 104th-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 South Africa has become more connected. South Africa ranked 91st in 1975, 86th in 1976-1990, 113th in 1991-2005 and 104th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg, with a population of 6772100 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Johannesburg as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.24, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Johannesburg peaked in 1991-2005.
South Africa in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in South Africa is Centurion with an SNDi of 6.63, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Kroonstad with an SNDi of 2.06, which is well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Kroonstad, Centurion.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in South Africa rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in South Africa, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in South Africa follow the same country trend.
To date, South Africa is the 104th-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 South Africa has become more connected. South Africa ranked 91st in 1975, 94th in 1976-1990, 102nd in 1991-2005 and 104th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg, with a population of 6772100 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Johannesburg as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.24, which is sprawly. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Johannesburg rose steadily.