An iterative displacement method working based on generalisation zones is proposed as a part of contextual building generalisation in topographic map production at medium scales. Displacement is very complicated operation since a compromise ought to be found between several conflicting criteria. Displacement requirement mainly arises from the violation of minimum distances imposed by graphic limits after the enlargement of map objects for target scale. It is also important to maintain positional accuracy within scale limits and to propagate the changes to the related neighbouring objects by preserving spatial configurations as far as possible. In the proposed method, first it is decided where and when to initiate building displacement based on spatial analysis in the generalisation zones created for building clusters in the blocks. Secondly, relevant criteria are defined to control the displacement. Finally displacement candidate and vector are decided by means of Voronoi tessellation, spatial analysis techniques and combined multiple criteria (i.e. displacement controls) in each iteration. The evaluation of the findings demonstrates that this method is largely effective in zone-based displacement of buildings.