Built Environment

Megatrends are fundamentally reshaping how we live and work. These changes are transforming transportation, housing and construction. Implementing best practices in urban planning, construction management, and transportation planning is crucial for creating energy-efficient and high-quality residential and business environments.

See our training programs

Built Environment

See our training programs

Built Environment Training Programs

Navigating megatrends requires expertise. We have supported built environment professionals and organizations for half a century. Our training programs combine research-based academic knowledge, insights from leading industry experts, and participant experience. Interactive methods ensure our training meets current development needs and prepares you for the future of the built environment.

Some of our training courses can also be used to obtain FISE certifications.

Online Courses on Built Environment

During this self-paced online course, participants will learn about climate change and its impact on the built environment and human health. This forward-thinking course encourages learners to not only understand the challenges we are facing but also to reflect on how we can reduce negative climate impacts and support the well-being of all life on this planet.

Estimated study time: 27 hours

Introduction to Wood Material is a set of two online courses, the first focusing on wood structure and anatomy, and the second focusing on wood properties.

Estimated study time: 54 hours

This course presents the structure of wood material, including macroscopic features such as earlywood, latewood, heartwood, sapwood, and knots. Additionally, wood formation and the basic cell types are presented, as well as the main structural constituents of wood: lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose.

Estimated study time: 27 hours

This course links the basic anatomical features of wood, such as grain orientation and knots, to its properties relevant in the built environment.

Estimated study time: 27 hours

Lean and Digitalization in Construction is an online course designed to equip you with the latest insights and practical tools to enhance project efficiency, improve construction quality, and gain a competitive edge. You will explore strategies for addressing productivity challenges in the construction sector, including lean principles and digital solutions that streamline project management, improve quality, and reduce project timelines.

Estimated study time: 54 hours

This online course presents you with the different approaches to, cases, and applications of communicative urban mobility planning. The course is built for urban mobility and transportation professionals, urban planners, and other professionals in public and private sectors working in urban mobility and transportation planning at any stage of their career.

Estimated study time: 10 hours

This online course provides different approaches to Carbon Smart Urban Green Infrastructure. During the course, you will reflect on Urban Mobility Challenges and grasp the context and bigger picture of Urban Mobility, the built environment, and green infrastructure.

Estimated study time: 10 hours

Sustainability Toolbox for Building Designers equips you with the tools needed to analyze and reduce the carbon footprint throughout a building’s lifecycle. The program helps you lead the change towards carbon-neutral construction and navigate the changing regulatory requirements in the European Union.

Estimated study time: 81-135 hours

See all online courses

Meet Our Faculty

Jari Ylitalo

Jari Ylitalo, PhD, is a University Lecturer in Leadership at Aalto University School of Science and Aalto Ventures Program.

He teaches, in particular, master's students on leadership, teamwork, and self-management.

Ylitalo's pedagogical approach emphasises a dialogical and resource-oriented approach. He also works as a supervisor, coach, and workplace facilitator. He has a long and diverse experience in coaching and developing leaders, management teams, and organisations in both corporate and public organisations.

Ylitalo's research has focused on leadership and leadership development, with a particular emphasis on the effectiveness of guidance, resource-centred and dialogue-based development approaches. He has also studied the social dynamics and development of cooperation and partnerships between companies and organisations, as well as network management and the development of a network approach.

Matti Kuittinen

Dr. Matti Kuittinen is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Construction at Aalto University´s Department of Architecture.

His research is focused on climate impacts and circular economy in the built environment, as well as in the development of new building materials and methods.

During his work at the Ministry of the Environment of Finland, Kuittinen developed the national whole life carbon assessment method and initiated the Nordic Bauhaus programme. As an architect, he has designed experimental sustainable buildings and participated in humanitarian construction operations.

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, and 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.

Olli Seppänen

Olli Seppänen is an Associate professor of operations management in construction at Aalto University, Department of Civil Engineering.

He has focused on lean and digital production planning and control and design management. He has over 100 scientific publications on these topics and has also 15 years of practical consulting experience before joining academia.

Jukka Heinonen

Jukka Taneli Heinonen currently works as a Professor of Sustainable Built Environment at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland.

Having graduated in Economics from Helsinki University, he obtained a PhD from Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland.

Heinonen specializes in the challenges of sustainable development in community structures and lifestyles. His main fields of research are consumption-based urban carbon footprinting and low-carbon urban settlements.

Jukka Heinonen has developed research approaches and analysis methods specifically for modeling indirect and outsourced emissions from the built environment. He is one of the world’s top 1,000 climate change researchers on the list published by Reuters in 2021, and in a recent study, he was named one of the world’s top 10 carbon footprint researchers.

Antti Peltokorpi

Antti Peltokorpi is an Associate Professor of operations management in construction at Aalto University, Department of Civil Engineering.

In his research he has focused on modularity and industrialization in construction, AI and data-based transformation of the sector, and digital supply chain management. He has over 100 scientific publications on these topics. Peltokorpi is also a Vice Dean for Impact at School of Engineering. Besides his academic merits, he works in close collaboration with the AEC industry.

Webinar Recording: The Potential of Digital Vegetation in the Design of Sustainable and Biodiversity-Rich Cities

Videos

Urbanization causes pressures on cities to densify and adapt, often at the expense of green spaces and ecological balanc...

Sustainable Building Saga: What and why?

Podcast

The Sustainable Building Saga is a podcast about recent sustainability trends and developments in the field of building ...

Anu Haapala

Lifewide Learning Expands Our Perception of Who Is Responsible for Building a Be...

Articles

Laura Sivula is Business Area Director responsible for the lifewide learning offering at Aalto EE and Aalto University. ...

YTK:n Pitkän kurssin Tähtiluento: The Real Price of Access to Urban Transportati...

Videos

In this webinar recording, Prottoy Akbar among other speakers shares his insight in the theme of transport poverty.

YTK:n Pitkän kurssin Tähtiluento: Soft Cities – Even in Hard Times?

Videos

In this webinar recording, David Sim, a longtime Partner and Creative Director in Jan Gehl’s office, will discuss his le...

Tiia Lappalainen

Vertical Parks – Dense and Green Urban Development Is the Future and Requires Pi...

Articles

When cities become increasingly dense, the limits of urban construction are being tested. This also forces us to make ch...

Contact Us

Timo Heikkinen

Senior Solutions Director +358 10 837 3874 timo.heikkinen@aaltoee.fi

Megatrends Reshaping the Built Environment

Megatrends like climate change, urbanization, and digitalization are significantly impacting the built environment. Building energy efficiency requires minimizing energy consumption throughout the lifecycle and integrating circular economy principles into material selection. Urbanization necessitates effective urban design and transportation planning to create quality living and working spaces. The potential of digital transformation to address these challenges is still being explored, but platform economy, sharing economy, and circular economy business models are already transforming transportation, housing, and construction.

Digitalization: A Societal Shift

Digitalization and artificial intelligence extend beyond digital tools; it is a societal transformation. Urbanization has enabled advanced digital applications to permeate our lives. Increased density simplifies logistics and enables services like public transport apps and city bikes.

Digitalization and AI also foster urban social life and activism, influencing how we inhabit and design our cities. Professionals must master interactive design methods and understand end-user needs.

Digitalization improves information sharing and transparency in construction projects, creating new business opportunities. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is digitizing design and reshaping the entire design culture.

Construction and Climate Change: Sustainable Solutions

The built environment plays a critical role in mitigating climate change. Sustainable construction practices, including wood construction, energy efficiency optimization, and renewable energy integration, are essential for reducing carbon emissions. Land-use planning and transportation system design are critical, as urban areas contribute significantly to our carbon footprint. Urban green spaces and carbon handprint initiatives highlight the role of nature in urban environments. Teleworking and sustainable transportation options demonstrate the potential of digitalization.

Building a Sustainable Environment: Education and Expertise

Aalto EE has supported built environment professionals for almost 60 years. Our training focuses on urban planning, construction management, and transportation planning.

We emphasize the Aalto spirit, including multidisciplinarity, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, design expertise, entrepreneurship, and innovation.