Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Spain, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Spain in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Spain peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Spain, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Comunidad de Madrid, Cataluña and Andalucía. Out of the three regions, Cataluña does not follow the same trend as the country. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Cataluña rose steadily.
How do development practices in Spain fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Spain was the 22nd-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 Spain has become more disconnected. Spain ranked 26th in 1975, 43rd in 1976-1990, 38th in 1991-2005 and 22nd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Spain is Madrid, with a population of 5057800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Madrid as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.92, which is very well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Madrid peaked in 1976-1990.
Spain in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Spain is Sant Andreu de la Barca with an SNDi of 4.64, which is sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Cádiz with an SNDi of 1.02, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Cádiz, Sant Andreu de la Barca.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Spain rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Spain, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Comunidad de Madrid, Cataluña and Andalucía. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Spain follow the same country trend.
To date, Spain is the 26th-most disconnected out of the 179 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has not changed. Spain ranked 26th in 1975, 27th in 1976-1990, 27th in 1991-2005 and 26th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Spain is Madrid, with a population of 5057800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Madrid as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.92, which is very well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Madrid rose steadily.