Micro-Certificate in Climate, Health and Cities
Building a Healthy Planet
How should we balance buildings so that they support the health of the planet and the health of the people? How well do we realize and understand the health effects of climate change?
Changing climate is causing increased stress to both buildings and their users. Today, the built environment is responsible for about 40 % of global greenhouse emissions. Climate change is also the underlying driver behind many physical and mental health threats. This applies not only to humans but to most life on our planet. Meeting the goals of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, as stated in the Paris Agreement, is not possible without strong action in construction.
The Climate, Health and Cities online course offers you a future-oriented introduction to climate change and its relationship to human activities, built environment and health. During the course, participants will gain an understanding of the ongoing changes in climate and their impacts on the built environment and human health. This solution-oriented course will also challenge learners to reflect on how we can reduce negative climate impacts and support the well-being of all life on this planet.
This asynchronous online course allows you to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule from anywhere in the world.
Gain a good basic understanding of climate change and its relationship with construction and human health.
Possibility to continue your learning journey with our certificate program that allows you to deepen your knowledge on live online sessions, discussions, and portfolio work with the guidance of our experts.
Benefits
The ongoing climate change is affecting all life around us. During this course, you will learn the basics of climate change and gain an understanding of its relationship with the built environment and health.
For
This online course is suitable for anyone interested in understanding the relations between health, construction, and climate change.
The course provides you with an overview of these current topics and at the same time it gives you a good foundation to continue your learning journey with our intensive training program. You can choose if you want to complete the online course as its own or together with the training program.
Contents and Schedule
This course provides you with a future-oriented, clear, factual and optimistic introduction to climate change, health and the built environment. During the course, you will learn the basics of climate change and learn how it affects our health. You will also learn about the role of construction as a driver and solution to climate change. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge needed to contribute towards a better future.
The course consists of short 8–10-minute videos, texts and reflection tasks. The course is divided into modules that each focus on a specific topic. The language of the course is English, and all videos include English subtitles.
The estimated study time of the course is 27 hours and learners have access to the course materials for 8 weeks.
You can complete the course flexibly at your own pace. We recommend that you schedule your studies and reserve around 4 hours per week for the course.
Instructors
Matti Kuittinen
Matti Kuittinen is a Professor of Sustainable Construction at Aalto University´s Department of Architecture and Senior Specialist at the Ministry of the Environment of Finland.
Kuittinen researches and develops policies for mitigation of climate change in the built environment and coordinates Nordic policy development efforts in the field of circular economy and low carbon construction. As an architect, he has designed experimental sustainable buildings and participated in humanitarian operations.
Photo: Aalto University / Anni Hanen
Laura Arpiainen
Laura Arpiainen is Professor of Health and Wellbeing Architecture at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and has an international track record in all areas of design and planning for healthcare.
Arpiainen holds dual Finnish / Canadian citizenship and is particularly interested in the relationship of built environments to health. Other interests include mental health, diversity, as well as the role of optimism in success. Laura leads the SOTERA research group at Aalto University, and is also a popular mentor, keynote speaker and visiting critic.
Photo: Aalto University / Jaakko Kahilaniemi