South Korea
What exactly constitutes the spatial extent of the city? For these aggregations, we used the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database (GHS-UCDB) to define the boundaries of the city. These cities -- or urban centers -- cover areas that are densely populated and built-up, and so may extend beyond the spatial borders of these cities that we may be familiar with. The GHS area is shaded in blue.
View South Korea on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in South Korea as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.47, which is relatively well-connected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 1.04, 1.58, 2.31 and 2.68. In each period, new street development in South Korea steadily grows more disconnected than in the last. This increase has slowed: between 1975 and 1976-1990, SNDi rose by 0.54 points, but between 1991-2000 and 2001-2014, it rose by just 0.37.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in South Korea spans a total of 143166 kilometers. The period with the greatest volume of street construction was 1976-1990. These roads have an SNDi of 1.58, which is relatively well-connected.
Effect on the aggregate network: New construction in each period adds to the total stock of streets, but does not change streets that have already been built. Therefore, it has a limited effect on the street network as a whole. The SNDis of the aggregate street network in the respective time periods are 1.04, 1.25, 1.36 and 1.47. Overall, the SNDi of the aggregate street network has risen: the street network in South Korea has become more disconnected. This increase has slowed: between 1975 and 1976-1990, SNDi rose by 0.21 points, but between 1991-2000 and 2001-2014, it rose by just 0.11.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in South Korea rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in South Korea, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Seoul, Busan and Daegu. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Seoul peaked in 1991-2000. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Busan followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Daegu peaked in 1991-2000.
How do development practices in South Korea fare in comparison to others in the world? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in South Korea was the 137th-most disconnected out of the 155 countries in the world. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has risen; relative to other countries in the world, street construction in South Korea has become more disconnected. South Korea ranked 146th in 1975, 140th in 1976-1990, 137th in 1991-2000 and 137th in 2001-2014.
The largest city in South Korea is Seoul, with a population of 21600800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Seoul as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.13, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Seoul rose steadily.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in South Korea is Geumseong-myeon with an SNDi of 6.29, which is highly disconnected. Conversely, the most connected city is Chungju-si with an SNDi of -0.34, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Chungju-si, Geumseong-myeon
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in South Korea rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in South Korea, we can consider three of its most populous regions: Seoul, Busan and Daegu. Disconnectivity in the most populous cities in South Korea follow the same country trend.
To date, South Korea is the 149th-most disconnected out of the 155 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 Korea has become more connected. South Korea ranked 146th in 1975, 149th in 1976-1990, 148th in 1991-2000 and 149th in 2001-2014.
The largest city in South Korea is Seoul, with a population of 21600800 people. Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in Seoul as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 1.13, which is relatively well-connected. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Seoul rose steadily.