Annex 1: Nordic urban-rural typology
This visual guide classifies Nordic municipalities as urban, intermediate and rural based on a typology developed by Nordregio (Stjernberg et al. 2024). The typology is based on 1 x 1 km grid statistical data on population, building density and land-use intensity derived from CORINE land-cover data. The typology distinguishes between the following seven classes based on an area’s degree of urbanity and rurality, ranging from inner urban areas to sparsely populated rural areas:
- Inner urban areas are the most densely populated parts of urban cores. Urban cores are clustered cells summing up to at least 15,000 inhabitants, and these are divided into Inner and Outer urban areas based on density criteria (population density and building floor space).
- Outer urban areas are the least densely populated parts of urban cores. Urban core areas are clustered cells with at least 15,000 inhabitants, and these are divided into Inner and Outer urban areas based on a density criteria (population density and building floorspace).
- Peri-urban areas are intermediate zones between urban cores and the rural. They are based on generalized travel-time estimates from the edges of outer urban areas (6 min travel-time zones) and smaller urban settlement (4-6 min travel-time zones).
- Local centers in rural areas are population centers located outside urban areas, including small towns and large parish villages, where population is between 5,000-14,999 inhabitants.
- Rural areas close to urban areas have a rural character and are functionally connected and close to urban areas. On average, this means a 20-30 minute driving time from the edge of outer urban areas.
- Rural heartland. These are rural areas with intensive land use, with a relatively dense population and a diverse economic structure at the local level. Most of the agricultural land is in this class.
- Sparsely populated rural areas are areas with dispersed small settlements that are located far from each other. Land cover usually consists of forests, mountains, or natural grassland.
Figure A displays a map of the Nordic Region, highlighting the classification of all municipalities. Note that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not included in the typology due to lack of data.
Figure A: Nordic urban-rural typology
This policy brief uses a simplified version of the typology to facilitate comparisons. The seven classes have been merged into three – urban areas, intermediate areas and rural areas – in the following way:
Combined Nordic typology classes | Detailed Nordic typology classes |
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Urban areas |
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Intermediate areas |
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Rural areas |
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