afgebakening

Afgebakening is the act of establishing the limits or boundaries of a geographic area, jurisdiction, or property. The term is used in cartography, land surveying, urban planning and law to describe the formal demarcation of where one area ends and another begins. Etymologically, it combines the prefixes af- (down, away) with bakening, meaning setting a boundary or marking; it is closely related to the concept of delimitation.

In practice, afgebakening can be conceptual or physical. Conceptual afgebakening defines the boundary in legal or administrative documents and maps, while physical afgebakening involves placing markers, fences, or other monuments on the ground. The process often includes planning, surveying, creating or updating maps and cadastre records, and producing legal deeds or treaties that recognize the boundary.

Common contexts include the delimitation of international borders, the demarcation of municipal or regional boundaries, and the delineation of land parcels for ownership or taxation. Modern techniques such as GPS, GIS, aerial or satellite imagery are frequently used to support precise measurement and documentation. Disputes can arise from historical claims, natural changes (for example, river shifts), or differing interpretations of treaties or laws, often requiring negotiation, mediation, or adjudication.

See also: Delimitation, Demarcation, Boundary, Cadastral survey, Property boundary.