Jälkikartoitus

Jälkikartoitus is a process used in Finland to evaluate and refine the plans and decisions made in the early stages of an urban planning project. The term is Finnish and translates to "rear-view mapping" or "backward-looking planning".

The concept of jälkikartoitus was first introduced in the 1980s as a reaction to the shortcomings of traditional urban planning methods. These methods often emphasized the idealized goals of a project, without considering the complexities and uncertainties of actual implementation.

In the jälkikartoitus process, detailed monitoring and evaluation of a project's implementation is carried out, ideally through regular surveys and data collection. Based on the experience gathered, the original plans and assumptions are reassessed and revised as necessary. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical planning and practical implementation.

Jälkikartoitus is primarily used in Finland, but similar approaches can be found in other countries under different names, such as "post-occupancy evaluation" or "retrospective planning". It is seen as a valuable tool for improving urban planning outcomes and promoting more effective and responsive design practices.

While the focus of jälkikartoitus is on the planning process itself, it also involves the participation of various stakeholders, including local communities, decision-makers, and experts from different fields. This helps to foster a shared understanding of the complex issues involved and to create more accurate and relevant plans.

By systematically evaluating and refining plans based on real-world experiences, jälkikartoitus aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of urban planning projects. It encourages ongoing learning, adaptation, and responsiveness to changing circumstances and user needs.