[1] The district of Hanhiperä borders Valkeamäki in the north, Keltinmäki in the east, Taka-Keljo in the south and Vesanka in the west.

[2] Hanhiperä is a relatively high area, with multiple hills reaching 200 m. Pirttimäki, the highest hill (249 m) in Jyväskylä proper[3] (i.e. not including Korpilahti) is mainly within the Taka-Keljo district, though its northern side extends into the Hanhiperä district.

The term Hanhiperä traditionally referred to the entire northwestern corner of Keljo around the lake Hanhijärvi, including the Perälä settlement.

[5] Hanhiperä was uninhabited hinterland of Keljo until the 19th century, when the first farms in the area were established during the Great Partition.

The residential area is planned to provide housing for approximately 8,000 people, which may increase if the construction is extended towards Hanhiperä.

The project has been opposed due to its potential effects on the local nature, especially since Siberian flying squirrels, which are endangered in Finland, live in the area.

[2] Agriculture and livestock were the traditional source of income in Taka-Keljo until the nationwide post-World War economic restructuring.