Department of Built Environment
Department of Built Environment
The Department of Built Environment looks for practical solutions for a society whose functioning requires sustainable asset management, efficient water and waste management, sufficient water resources, reliable and safe transportation as well as valid geographic data. Intelligent spatial planning enables built environments that best serve the needs of habitation, business and mobility.
Research
The research and education of the Department of Built Environment focus on fields that are continuously growing in societal importance. Research problems involve the great challenges facing today’s society, including population growth, urbanisation, climate change, globalisation, digitalisation and the increasing use of natural resources.
The Department of Built Environment is home to four research groups – Geoinformatics, Real Estate Economics, Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering and Water and Environmental Engineering – and a partner in MeMo, the Research Institute of Measuring and Modelling for The Built Environment.
Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering
Urban realities are becoming increasingly dynamic, complex and fragmented while demands for their liveability, sustainability, competitiveness, and attractiveness increase. Our research connects spatial planning and transportation engineering for developing new scientific knowledge needed in systemic understanding, problem-solving, and integrative planning and policy-making beyond sectoral boundaries, aimed at achieving equitable, sustainable and attractive environments.
Water and Environmental Engineering
Water and Environmental Engineering research at Aalto University aims to find solutions to decrease resource scarcity and to support sustainability. Our research is divided into two strategic areas: global water issues and sustainable circular economy, which are further divided into four research entities.
Real Estate Economics
Real estate economics analyses the dynamics of real estate markets from the perspectives of e.g. business, planning, technology, value formation and law. The Real Estate Economics research group at Aalto University is the only university-level research unit in Finland focusing on the broad area of real estate.
Geoinformatics
Geoinformatics at Aalto University is a truly multidisciplinary field. Our research and its applications cover a wide range of themes from human-centred to natural environments.
MeMo - Research Institute of Measuring and Modeling for the Built Environment
The goal of the Institute is to produce world-class research and development of the measurement technology in the field of construction and environmental engineering.
DIWA – Digital Waters Flagship Programme
Promoting sustainable development by linking digital solutions to water resource management.
Education
The Department of Built Environment offers education on leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
See our study options and hear from some of our alumni below.
Fields of study:
- Sustainable Communities
- Real Estate Economics and Geoinformatics
The department's bachelor's-degree education is offered in Finnish and Swedish in the Bachelor's Programme in Engineering.
Master's-level education is available in Aalto University master's programmes as well as co-operative and international programmes.
Aalto University programmes:
- Geoinformatics
- Real Estate Economics
- Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering
- Water and Environmental Engineering
Co-operative and international programmes:
Doctoral studies at the Department of Built Environment are part of the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering.
News
Join us for the Aalto Open Science Award 2024 Ceremony
All Aaltonians are welcome – no registration required!
New mapping approach shows wolverine population spreading in Finland
The study introduces a new approach to mapping the occurrence and distribution of animal species.
A new Journal Search Tool for open access agreements
Try the new Journal Search Tool
An autonomous car driving around Helsinki and Espoo helps cities solve future problems
Geospatial data can help prepare for extreme weather, floods and the degradation of roads.Events
Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom
Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships training for Aalto applicants, 7 May, 14 May and 3 June 2025
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding for Postdoctoral Fellowships is aimed at postdoctoral researchers with up to 8 years of research experience after their doctoral degree, who would like to move within or to Europe and beyond to carry out research. The researcher applies for funding in cooperation with the host organisation.
Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom
Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
Discover and explore research data, May 15, 2025
Welcome to a webinar on data re-use and exploratory data visualisation.Contact information: Department of Built Environment
Find contact details for the Department of Built Environment.
Where to find us
Otakaari 4
Mechanical engineering 1, K1
Datavägen 1 E
Vatten- och miljöteknik, Vattenbyggnaden, mån–fre 8.00–15.45
Tietotie 1
Marine Technology, Aalto Ice and Wave Tank
