Pilot dataset for Finnish National base-areas and small area division

This dataset is based on a new model for nationwide small area divisions for Finland.  It has been done in GSFI project funded by Eurostat. Project grant agreement number is 101112903 - 2022-FI-GEOS-GSFI.

Pilot contains data from five municipalities (Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Kajaani and Parainen). The readme-file (ReadMeGSFI_pilot_En.txt) descibes the dataset and method in more detail. Please notice that this is a pilot dataset that may contain flaws and errors.

During the project development process: 1. A stakeholder survey was conducted on the need and content of small areas. 2. decision to propose creating an area classification system where small areas are based on smaller building blocks as base areas. 3. Different approaches and datasets were tested for forming these base areas. 4. A pilot version of the actual small areas was created based on these base areas. The work resulted in a method where, from GIS-datasets, base areas are formed, and from those, small areas.

The proposed small area division model is based on an approach where a dataset of very finely detailed base areas is first created. This dataset serves as the foundation for defining the actual statistical small areas. The base areas consider urban structure and geographical factors. With base areas, it's possible to create small areas based on various criteria. The definition of statistical small areas relies on population size criteria, ensuring data privacy when publishing statistical information.

The pilot version is a draft and proposal, not yet the final dataset. When forming the final dataset, it is important to note that there are some gaps in the GIS-datasets used for base-areas, requiring manual checks. Additionally, the data generated using the automated method includes some objects that are not optimally delimited. The proposal is based on a vision of a target situation where, using this dataset, different types of small areas for various needs can be easily produced with different boundary values and criteria.