Erityisalue

Erityisalue is a Finnish term used to describe a geographic area designated for specific purposes or restrictions within planning and administration. The word combines erityinen (special) with alue (area), reflecting its role as a zone that requires particular considerations beyond those applying to ordinary areas. The designation is usually made in planning documents and regulatory frameworks at municipal, regional, or national levels.

In practice, eriyisalue can cover a range of contexts. It may refer to zones set aside for environmental protection, safety, or the operation of critical infrastructure; to areas reserved for research, industry, or public services; or to districts where land use, building, or activity are subject to special rules. The exact measures and permissions tied to an eriyisalue depend on the governing regulation or planning plan that defines the zone. As such, the label itself does not prescribe a single uniform set of requirements across the country.

The concept plays a role within Finland’s land-use planning system, often appearing in master plans (maakuntakaava) and detailed plans (asemakaava) to indicate areas with distinct objectives or restrictions. It is related to, but distinct from, other protective or specialized designations such as suojelualue (protected area) or alueisiin kohdistuvat erityisvaraukset in planning contexts. The use and scope of eriyisalue can evolve through planning processes and administrative decisions.

See also: protected area, master plan, detailed plan, land-use planning.