Property Boundaries and Boundary Markers in Finland
Aune Rummukainen
There are more than two million properties and approximately 12 million boundary markers in Finland. The boundary markers include boundary stones, posts and signs, but new boundary signs are no longer made. Posts are also used on the boundaries of road and railway areas. The oldest boundary markers were made of stones or wooden posts. While these can still be used, most boundary markers used today are metal pipes or plastic posts. The boundaries between properties may be straight, curved or natural boundaries. For historical reasons, there are also previously undetermined boundaries in Finnish water areas and former road areas. New boundary markers are constructed during land survey operations. It is estimated that about 20% of boundary markers have vanished. When this happens, the boundary can be determined and the lost boundary markers replaced with new ones in a property determination procedure called demarcation. In order to preserve boundary markers, they should be marked in land use projects. Boundary markers will also deteriorate over time: stone will disintegrate, wood will rot and metal will be eaten by corrosion, so demarcation will also be necessary in the future. The National Land Survey of Finland is planning to switch to a coordinate-based cadastre over the next few years, which means that boundary markers may gradually become history.
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