Katuverkostot

Katuverkostot, the Finnish term for street networks, describe the complete network of streets and related routes that connect an urban area or region. It comprises public roads, pedestrian paths, cycle routes, and the intersections and junctions that link them. The street network enables the movement of people and goods, determines accessibility, and influences land use and urban form. It evolves through planning, construction, and maintenance, reflecting historical development, geography, and policy goals.

Design and structure: street networks are commonly described through hierarchy (arterials, primary and secondary collectors, local streets), patterns (grid, radial, or irregular), and connectivity, which affects travel time, walkability, and redundancy. Block size, intersection density, and route continuity influence pedestrian experience and traffic performance. Features such as roundabouts, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, parking, and public transit stops are integrated to support multimodal mobility and safety. A well-designed katuverkosto provides multiple routes between points and distributes traffic to reduce congestion and accidents.

Planning and management: katuverkostot are planned within broader master plans and zoning frameworks by municipal or regional authorities, often coordinated across agencies. Modern planning emphasizes multimodal mobility, safety, climate resilience, and equitable access, with data sources including GIS and OpenStreetMap. Metrics such as connectivity, intersection density, travel time reliability, and safety indicators are used to evaluate performance. Maintenance and funding for road surfaces, signs, lighting, snow clearance, and winter road management are essential to the network's functionality.