Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Johannesburg in 2013 was 8,000,159, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.5% since 1998. The population of Johannesburg in 1998 was 4,726,764, increasing at an average annual rate of 4.9% since 1990, when its population was 3,148,133.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Johannesburg in 2013 was 262,568 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2% since 1998. The urban extent in 1998 was 164,099 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 1.8% since 1990, when its urban extent was 140,795 hectares.

• 1990
• 1998
• 2013

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Johannesburg in 2013 was 44 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1% since 1998. The built-up area density in 1998 was 51 persons per hectare, increasing at an average annual rate of 2.5% since 1990 when the built-up area density was 41.24 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Johannesburg in 2013 was 30 persons per hectare, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.4% since 1998. The urban extent density in 1998 was 29 persons per hectare, increasing at an average annual rate of 3% since 1990 when the urban extent density was 22 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 88,587 hectares of built-up area was added to the Johannesburg urban extent between 1998 and 2013. Of that added built-up area, 43% was Infill, 42% was Extension, 0% was Leapfrog, and 14% was Inclusion. A total of 16,694 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1990 and 1998. Of that added built-up area, 36% was Infill, 34% was Extension, 6% was Leapfrog, and 24% was Inclusion.

• 1990–1998
• 1998–2013

• Built-up Area
  1990
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Johannesburg 1990-2014 expansion area was 7.4 meters, compared to 13.24 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Johannesburg occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 18%, compared to 25% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Johannesburg's 1990-2014 expansion was 0.52 km/km2, compared to 1.51 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Johannesburg's 1990-2014 expansion area was 49%, compared to 93% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1990
• 2013

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Johannesburg's 1990-2014 expansion area was 5.3 hectares, compared to 7.6 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014