Kaavakartta

Kaavakartta is a map used in Finland to illustrate the zoning and land-use planning for a municipality. It accompanies planning documents such as asemakaava (detail plan) and yleiskaava (master plan) and shows how land is designated for different uses and the spatial constraints that apply to development.

The map typically displays property boundaries and zoning categories (for example residential, commercial, public services, industrial, and green space), as well as building rights and restrictions such as height limits and setback requirements. It may also indicate protected areas, environmental constraints, and infrastructure like roads, water and sewage networks. The legend explains the color coding and symbols used.

Legal and practical role: the kaavakartta forms part of the planning framework and, together with the accompanying plan regulations, governs what can be built where. It is used by planning authorities when issuing building permits and by property owners, developers, and residents to assess development potential and land-use rights.

Accessibility: municipalities publish kaavakartta through their geographic information system (GIS) portals, often as interactive maps and downloadable files. National geospatial data services also provide related planning information. In practice, the kaavakartta is a key tool for planning, property transactions, and urban development.

Updates: kaavakartta is revised as plans are prepared and amended. When a new plan becomes legally valid, its kaavakartta replaces previous versions, ensuring the map reflects the current planning framework.