Sustainability News at the Department of Design
Is there enough water in the land of a thousand lakes? True or false: three claims about drought risks in Finland
Drought is one of the world's most devastating natural disasters, and climate change is likely to increase and intensify droughts around the world.
Climate action plans of the six largest cities in Finland compared – densification alone is not enough for a climate solution, researchers emphasize
Aalto University researchers showed that even though the importance of urban green is growing, densifying the urban structure is still a mantra for climate work that is not questioned.
Shared cars have arrived at the Aalto Âé¶¹´«Ã½ - make a reservation using the GoMore app
GoMore is a car sharing platform where you can rent a car or put your own car up for rent.
Living, breathing buildings: Bio foams could transform the way we build
Could an autonomously “breathing†foam that’s ninety percent air be a sustainable alternative to concrete, steel and glass in construction? A team led by researchers from Finland is set to prove it can.Â
Campus for people, plants and pollinators
The Otaniemi Âé¶¹´«Ã½ nature is managed with respect to biodiversity and the characteristic species of habitats.
Key Skills for Sustainability Experts: Collaboration and Communication
As industries increasingly focus on sustainability, the demand for sustainability expertise is growing. But what specific skills do employers seek in sustainability experts?
How to prepare our students to be professionals in an uncertain future?
Our graduates need various skills to navigate in the future of working life
Introducing three new professors at the School of Electrical Engineering
Assistant Professors Gopika Premsankar and Johannes Arend and Associate Professor (tenured) Marko Kosunen were appointed to the career path of professors during January-June 2024.
Aalto University adds steps to reduce emissions
Aalto University has mapped key measures for reducing climate emissions in all areas of its operations. The greatest reductions will be in energy use and procurement.
New residential areas in Helsinki have less vegetation than old ones, affecting carbon sequestration and future summer temperatures
EU's Nature Restoration Regulation draws attention to the benefits of greenery in urban ecosystems.
Satu Lähteenoja: ‘Futures thinking and co-design are needed for advancing sustainability transformations'
In the I claim series Satu Lähteenoja shows that the transition arena method increases the understanding of systemic change among civil servants and decision-makers and helps them to think further into the future.
Sustainability Science Days gathers record participation - next year’s theme will be “Breaking the sustainability bubbleâ€
Finland's largest sustainability research and innovation event brought together over 1,500 experts from over a hundred different countries. The event was organized at Aalto University and the University of Helsinki this year in cooperation with the world's largest sustainability congress, SRI.
Professor Maarit Salolainen: ‘Multidisciplinary cooperation is the key to solving sustainability issues in the textile field’
Professor of Textile Design Maarit Salolainen wants to see closer cooperation not only between research in different fields but also between the university, the industry and resellers to bring about change.
Kiia Einola thinks that buildings should support the well-being of us all
Kiia Einola's study journey at Aalto University extends from bachelor's studies all the way to doctoral research. Summer job during her master's studies sparked Kiia's interest in smart building research. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation in smart building services engineering by collaborating with Helvar, a company specializing in electrical engineering.
American and Finnish universities collaborate to drive SDG advancement and innovation
American and Finnish universities collaborate on SDG innovation during a week-long training event, fostering global sustainability solutions.
Student project helped Deloitte capture ESG performance in company valuation
The final model developed by the students concentrated on the risk and opportunity analysis of sustainability-related topics  
Donor story – Helena Hyvönen: ‘The world is built together, without silos’
Helena Hyvönen has had a long career as Professor of Textile Art, Rector and Dean at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and later Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. She believes it is important for the field to have a vibrant community of designers. The designers also have a lot to offer to the university.
Näytös24 was a celebration of creativity and personality
At the annual Aalto University Fashion Show, a total of seven prizes were awarded to fashion students' works. Innovation, high technical skills and sustainability were emphasised in the award criteria.
Transforming interdisciplinary education: Sustainable Global Technologies (SGT) across four continents
The true impact of our actions often unfolds over time, as demonstrated by the students at the SGT FAIR’24 on May 22. Their work showcased how a single student challenge can drive significant change.
Students decided: two community pianos arrived on Âé¶¹´«Ã½
Aalto University's student participatory budgeting project for 2023 has been completed, and the winning idea is a community piano.