tättbefolkade

Tättbefolkade is a Swedish term used to describe areas with a high population density, where many people live in a relatively small geographic space. It is commonly applied to urban centers and metropolitan regions, as opposed to sparsely populated rural areas.

Density is typically measured as the number of inhabitants per square kilometer. There is no universal threshold for what counts as densely populated; the exact definition varies by country and context. In practice, tättbefolkade areas feature closely spaced housing, extensive infrastructure, and a concentration of services, workplaces, and transportation options.

Characteristics of densely populated areas include efficient land use and strong economic activity due to proximity to jobs and amenities. They often offer diverse housing, cultural life, and accessible public services. However, high density can also create challenges such as housing shortages or high prices, traffic congestion, noise, air and noise pollution, and pressure on schools, healthcare, and other services.

In regional planning and urban studies, tättbefolkade areas are central to discussions of urbanization, sustainability, and growth management. They contrast with sparsely populated zones and are frequently the focus of policies aimed at promoting compact development, public transit, and balanced provision of housing and infrastructure.