How the measurement was done
Public Policy Lab measured how the widths of 27 different streets in Malé were used, sampling measurement points across the length of each street. Of total street width, 88.8% is drivable road and 11.2% is pavement. After subtracting the space occupied by parked vehicles, only 56.5% of the drivable width – and 50% of the full width – is actually usable for driving.
What this means for getting around
Assuming a safe driving width of 2.5 metres, 11 of the 27 roads surveyed are currently too narrow for a car to pass safely. With street parking cleared, all 27 would be usable for cars. The pattern is starker for larger vehicles: ambulances cannot fit safely through around 41% of the roads surveyed, and buses fit on only 10 of the 27.
Key facts
- Parked vehicles occupy 43.5% of drivable road width in Malé, measured across 27 streets.
- Around 38.6% of total street width in Malé cannot be used for walking or driving because parked vehicles block it.
- 11 of 27 roads measured are too narrow for a car to pass safely at a 2.5-metre safe driving width; all 27 would be passable with parking cleared.
Last checked . If a figure here is out of date, tell us.