Tätortsgränsen

Tätortsgränsen, which translates to "urban area boundary" or "settlement limit" in English, is a concept used in Sweden for statistical and planning purposes. It defines the edge of a tätort, which is an urban area or settlement that meets specific criteria. A tätort is officially defined by Statistics Sweden (Statistiska centralbyrån, SCB) as a contiguous built-up area with at least 200 inhabitants and where the distance between the houses does not exceed 200 meters.

The tätortsgränsen itself is the geographical line that delineates where a tätort ends and the surrounding rural area begins. This boundary is crucial for understanding the extent of urban development and for demographic analysis. It helps distinguish between densely populated areas and less populated regions, influencing urban planning, infrastructure development, and the allocation of resources.

SCB periodically updates these boundaries based on population changes and new construction. The definition ensures consistency in how urban areas are identified across the country, allowing for comparable statistics on urbanization, population density, and spatial distribution. The tätortsgränsen is therefore a fundamental tool for Swedish urban studies and regional policy.