Test dataset for Finnish National small area division

This dataset is based on a new model for nationwide small area division for Finland.  It has been developed in GSFI (grant agreement number: 101112903 - 2022-FI-GEOS-GSFI) and GSFIBU (grant agreement number: 01195769 / SMP-ESS-2024-GEOS-IBA, 2024-FI-GEOS-GSFIBU) projects funded by Eurostat. Nationwide small area division has been developed in co-operation with Finnish Environment Institute, Statistics Finland and National Land Survey of Finland.

Test small area dataset covers whole Finland and is intended for testing purposes. Please notice that the test dataset may contain flaws and errors. The readme-file (ReadME_testdata_En.txt) describes the dataset and method in more detail.

During the development process in two projects: 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 base areas that act as building blocks for small area aggregation. 3. Different approaches and datasets were tested for forming these base areas and aggregating them into small areas. 4. A pilot version of the actual small areas was created based on these base areas. 5. Pilot version was further developed both in terms of the base areas and small area aggregation methodology and criteria to create a nationwide test dataset.

The proposed small area division model establish a coherent and scalable small area division model that defines stable base units as building blocks and enables the flexible aggregation of small areas across the entire country. The small area division model follows a hierarchical structure in which municipalities are divided into fine-grained base areas derived from physical infrastructure, such as buildings, transport networks, land use, and natural boundaries. These base areas are then aggregated into statistically meaningful small areas using a network-based algorithm that incorporates population thresholds, spatial coherence, and data protection requirements.

The test version is a proposal, not yet the final dataset. Test data is used to gather information and perspectives to further develop the proposed small area division model.