Aluejako

aluejako is a Finnish term for the division of a geographical area into smaller units for administrative, statistical, or service-delivery purposes. The purpose is to organize governance and public services more effectively, according to factors such as population distribution, geography, infrastructure, and accessibility.

Typically, aluejako applies within municipalities, regions, or nationally governed areas and can serve several functions: defining electoral or administrative districts, delineating school catchment areas, organizing health care or social services, planning land use and zoning, and allocating resources or funding. Boundaries are set by public authorities and may be defined by statutes, government decrees, or administrative decisions.

The delineation relies on data analysis and geographic information systems, and uses criteria such as population size and density, travel times to services, contiguity of areas, and service capacity. Changes to aluejako are common when demographics shift or reforms occur; such changes usually require administrative reviews, consultation with stakeholders, and, if necessary, legislative amendments.

In Finland, the term is used in local government planning and statistics to organize service delivery and governance. See also: electoral districting, zoning, regional planning, catchment area.