Tätortssträckor

Tätortssträckor, which translates to "urban areas" or "built-up areas" in English, is a term used in Sweden to delineate continuous urban development. It is a statistical concept employed by Statistics Sweden (Statistiska centralbyrån, SCB) to define and map areas where buildings are closely situated and form a contiguous settlement. The primary purpose of tätortssträckor is to provide a standardized definition for urban areas for statistical purposes, facilitating comparisons and analyses of population distribution, urban sprawl, and infrastructure planning.

The definition of a tätortssträcka is based on a minimum population density and building proximity. Generally, a tätortssträcka is defined as a cluster of buildings where the distance between individual houses or buildings does not exceed 200 meters. Furthermore, the area must have a minimum population of 200 inhabitants. This criterion ensures that only genuinely populated and developed areas are classified as tätortssträckor, excluding isolated farms or small collections of houses.

These classifications are crucial for understanding the spatial organization of Sweden. They help in understanding where people live, how urban areas are expanding, and the extent of the built environment. The data derived from tätortssträckor is used by government agencies, researchers, and planners for a variety of applications, including transportation planning, environmental impact assessments, and the allocation of public services. The SCB regularly updates and publishes maps and data pertaining to tätortssträckor across Sweden.