Lähialue

Lähialue is a Finnish term used to describe the area surrounding a central place, such as a city, neighbourhood centre, facility, or natural feature. The emphasis is on proximity and functional connection rather than on formal administrative borders.

In urban planning and regional studies, lähialue refers to the local catchment area whose residents most directly use the services or are affected by the activities of the central point. Its boundaries are not fixed and are defined empirically or by policy goals, often using criteria such as distance, travel time, population density, or patterns of service use.

Common applications include analyzing demand for public services (schools, healthcare, transport), planning local economic activity, assessing retail or recreational facilities, and evaluating environmental influences that extend into the surrounding area.

Lähialue is distinct from related terms such as lähiö (a residential district or suburb) and lähiympäristö (the immediate surrounding environment). The concept is flexible and context-dependent, making it a practical shorthand in planning, geography, and public administration.

Because the term is not standardized, researchers and planners typically specify how the lähialue is defined in their work, for example by stating the travel-time radius or the key socio-economic indicators used to delineate the area.