grootschaal

Grootschaal is a Dutch term meaning "large scale." It is used to describe processes, projects, or representations that cover a relatively large geographic area with a relatively high level of detail, or, conversely, a detailed representation of a smaller area. The boundary between grootschaal and kleinschalig is not fixed and depends on the domain; in cartography, grootschalige kaarten show finer detail and cover smaller areas, while kleinschalige kaarten cover larger areas with less detail. The term is commonly used in urban planning, geography, ecology, and data analysis to indicate scope and resolution.

In cartography, grootschalige maps depict small geographic extents but high detail; typical grootschalige scales range roughly from 1:5,000 to 1:25,000, though terminology varies by country and application. Kleinschalige maps, by contrast, cover larger regions at scales such as 1:100,000 and smaller.

In practice, grootschalige analyses and planning focus on local to regional levels, such as city blocks, infrastructure networks, or watershed management, enabling detailed design, site selection, and impact assessment. For national or regional policy, the term often shifts toward regional or mesoscale planning rather than large-scale approaches.

Etymology: grootschaal is formed from groot (large) and schaal (scale). It functions as the counterpart of kleinschalig, and the choice of term is contextual rather than fixed.