Katuverkoston

Katuverkosto, in Finnish planning terminology, refers to the complete system of streets and public roads that connect a city, municipality, or region. It encompasses the arrangement of streets, intersections, blocks, and pedestrian and cycling routes, and it serves as the framework for movement by cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. The concept also involves how the street network interacts with land use and public spaces.

A street network can vary in layout, from dense grids to more organic patterns with curved roads and cul-de-sacs. It includes a hierarchy of street types, such as primary arterials, secondary collectors, and local streets, as well as intersections, pedestrian crossings, and cycle routes. Good network design aims to create short, interconnected routes with multiple travel options, adequate redundancy, and safe access for all users. The size and shape of blocks, the density of intersections, and the continuity of routes influence travel efficiency and accessibility.

In planning practice, katuverkosto is analyzed to assess mobility, accessibility, and resilience. Urban designers use metrics such as connectivity, block length, intersection density, and redundancy to evaluate performance and to test scenarios for growth or redevelopment. The network is considered in land-use planning, traffic management, transit planning, and sustainable mobility initiatives, including pedestrianization, cycling infrastructure, and public transport integration. In Finland, katuverkosto planning is guided by municipal and regional planning processes, and is a central element in creating safe, accessible, and livable urban environments.