designing society through thinking | university of helsinki

Designing society through thinking

The University of Helsinki launched its participation in the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 year with a comprehensive theme “Designing society through thinking”. The aim is to communicate the actions of the university that contribute to the cultural, economic and social development of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and the living environment in general. The University of Helsinki expands the concept of design to encompass social innovations – design is seen not just in its traditional form, but as a human-oriented way of solving challenges.

Follow the university’s WDC blog at www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012

More inforMation Ira Leväaho Project Manager, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 University of Helsinki Communications & Community Relations Mobile +358 50 505 8152 E-mail [email protected]

university of helsinki & WDc helsinki 2012

teaching & learningThe Finnish educational system and teacher training at the University of Helsinki create

a strong foundation for Finland’s success in PISA evaluations and they have become an increasingly export product. Projects in the Department of Teacher Education bring together strong scientific

expertise to develop learning contents, physical spaces and services and networks with the help of new technology, creating a platform for distributing the Finnish equal-opportunity model of teaching

and learning both nationally and internationally.

ele – neW learning environMents in teacher eDucationLearning environments of the future integrate a variety of spaces and services and combine contact teaching with digital tools. Internet- and mobile-based working and learning platforms are naturally connected to the learning experience.

The seamless fusion of pedagogic and psychological know-how and technology supporting active learning and inclusive methodology is important. The project aims to develop learning spaces and technologies for use in teacher training. The labora-tory for creating knowledge creates not only new understanding and learning, but also new practices and pedagogic solutions.

More inforMation Oskari SalmiProject ManagerUniversity of Helsinki Tel. +358 50 3185 [email protected]

learning to be a teacher The University of Helsinki designs society through teaching and research. The project gives a face to Finnish teacher train-ing, which has gained international recognition as the result of Finland’s continuing PISA success. The project is an audi-ovisual introduction to teaching practice, an integral part of Finnish teacher training. First class research shapes the Finn-ish teacher training, which in turn designs Finland’s whole educational system.

More inforMationElina Kuusisto Postdoctoral ResearcherUniversity of HelsinkiMobile +358 50 318 [email protected]


Passion to learn

Adapting new ways of collectivelearning for better results.

sustainable environMent The environmental projects will create opportunities for improved quality of life and a better future.

The projects seek solutions to environmental problems and develop ecosystem services for the needs of urban residents. They will create new spaces, experiences, natural areas

and sustainability amid the issues of climate change, as well as mental and physical well-being. Sustainable development is an ideology and operating model that grows increasingly effective through

social discourse between urban residents and decision-makers.

fifth DiMension: innovative solutions anD ecosysteM services to benefit our cities An upcoming trend in the world’s metropolises is urban retro-fitting – the development of cities towards more sustainability, where the use of urban space and ecosystem services play a key role.

The popularity of green roofs, or roofs of buildings covered with living vegetation, is growing rapidly around the world, and they are seen as an essential element of sustainable develop-ment. However, Finnish building culture, urban planning and design are lagging behind in this respect.

Green roofs are an excellent means of reducing the adverse environmental effects of urbanisation and problems caused by climate change. While the climate has been found to be chang-ing even faster than forecast in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, one of the counter-measures taken by many major cities is the goal of radically in-creasing vegetated roof areas.

More inforMationSusanna LehvävirtaResearcher University of Helsinki, Finnish Museum of Natural History Mobile +358 50 576 2952 [email protected]

global environMental change: university of helsinki Designing a sustainable future We aim to highlight top scientific research on global environ-mental problems as well as innovative solutions to solve them. The project themes are climate change, the Baltic Sea and urban ecosystem services.

The core idea in this project is the dialogue between the citi-zens and decision-makers through the new innovative methods by using environmental and bio art as media in science com-munication. Enhancing the use of environmental research in societal discussion and decision-making forms our society, and can be considered as design for the future.

More inforMationKati VierikkoCoordinator of Environmental Research University of HelsinkiDepartment of Environmental SciencesMobile +358 40 [email protected]


green Zone

Rethinking our environmentfor more sustainable living.

learning environMent The design of learning environments provides us with new types of ‘oases’ for learning

that suit the needs of widely different learners. They serve as showcases of science and facilitate encounters between different actors. Interactive learning environments and service models

that encourage participation are developed in a user-orientated manner through service design, making use of space and technology in a new way.

sMart Design – helsinki university library’s service Design ProjectThe objective of the service design project at the Helsinki Uni-versity Library is to create a coherent, user-oriented and flexible service concept with the help of a web-based developer commu-nity. The new service concept and involvement of users enable the reform of traditional library services, the probing and im-plementation of new technologies and work processes as well as the long-term development of library services also in the future.

The service design project will improve the Library’s on-site and online services aimed at its user base of nearly 100,000. Together with the new City Centre Campus Library (a.k.a. the

Kaisa building), the high quality experiential services offer the World Design Capital 2012 an impressive design product and an interesting venue in the monumental centre of Helsinki.

More inforMationInkeri Salonharju Project ManagerHelsinki University LibraryTel. +358 9 1912 4377, +358 50 415 [email protected]


oasis of science

Creating an intelligent andinspiring space where

new science can be born.

stuDent caPital A student-centred approach and participation are key terms for the set of projects aimed at

bolstering the national and international competitive strength of the Helsinki metropolitan area as an attractive place to live, study and work. The Student Capital brings together the public, private and third sectors, acknowledging the real needs of the different actors. The Student Capital aims to satisfy the needs at every stage of a learner’s life, from the beginning of university studies to lifelong learning,

turning learners into proud alumni who act as global ambassadors for not just the university but Helsinki as a whole.

WorlD stuDent caPitalThe more than 90,000 higher education students in the Helsinki capital region is an invaluable resource for the city. The objective of the World Student Capital project is to make students visible in the city and encourage them to be active and creative citizens.

Through the World Student Capital, students will create sus-tainable solutions for everyday challenges, serving both students and other citizens. The student initiatives will cover topics such as urban living, transportation, entrepreneurship and lively cam-pus culture.

More inforMation Aura KostiainenThe Student Union of the University of HelsinkiMobile +358 50 595 0329 [email protected]

helsinki suMMer schoolThe thirteenth Helsinki Summer School (HSS) will be arranged on 7–23August 2012. HSS celebrates the World Design Capital 2012 by offering high-quality multidisciplinary courses on de-sign. In addition we are rethinking our service concept with the help of service design. The multidisciplinary courses – all taught in English – aim at stimulating thought and intellectual develop-ment in an open and diverse environment. A city known for its design, technology, and vibrant cultural life, Helsinki is sure to be the experience of a lifetime.

More inforMationPauliina MikkonenProgramme manager Tel. +358 9 191 24 062 [email protected]


stuDent caPital

Co-creating Helsinkithe world’s most studentfriendly

community.

see you in the think corner! During the WDC year, the University of Helsinki will take top-level research and the university’s many WDC projects to the public, hoping to ignite lively debate over various topics. For this purpose it will open the Think Corner at Aleksanterinkatu 7.

The Think Corner is a meeting place for the university community and the public, turning science into an approachable experience. Drop in for a cup of coffee, pick up something interesting to read or have an inspiring chat with other friends of science. Come to the Think Corner and share the WDC year with us!

To find out more about the Think Corner programme, read the university’s WDC blog at www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012

More inforMationIra Leväaho Project Manager, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 University of Helsinki Communications & Community Relations Mobile +358 50 505 8152 E-mail [email protected]

Tanja PaananenMarketing Communication ManagerUniversity of Helsinki Communications & Community Relations Mobile +358 50 415 4508E-mail [email protected]