Context
The chart above shows the evolution of street network disconnectedness of the most connected and most disconnected cities in Switzerland, for both new street additions (left) and the aggregate street network (right).
Switzerland in context: Street-network sprawl of new development
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Switzerland rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Switzerland, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Zürich, Genève and Vaud. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Zürich followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Genève peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Vaud peaked in 1991-2005.
How do development practices in Switzerland fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2006-2020, street construction in Switzerland was the 65th-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 Switzerland has become more connected. Switzerland ranked 56th in 1975, 74th in 1976-1990, 82nd in 1991-2005 and 65th in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich, with a population of 640600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Zurich as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.0, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Zurich peaked in 1976-1990.
Switzerland in context: Aggregate street-network sprawl
As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Switzerland is Lugano with an SNDi of 3.7, which is relatively sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Winterthur with an SNDi of 1.5, which is very well-connected. See these two cities’ trends in the above graph, or dive deeper into each: Winterthur, Lugano.
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Switzerland rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Switzerland, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Zürich, Genève and Vaud. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in Switzerland follow the same country trend.
To date, Switzerland is the 53rd-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 Switzerland has become more disconnected. Switzerland ranked 56th in 1975, 55th in 1976-1990, 58th in 1991-2005 and 53rd in 2006-2020.
The largest city in Switzerland is Zurich, with a population of 640600 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Zurich as of 2020, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 2.0, which is well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Zurich rose steadily.