Hack our habitat
When
Where
Event language(s)
Aggressive urbanisation is straining our ecosystem. Rising construction volume causes massive demand for energy-intensive construction materials, and construction already accounts for 39 per cent of the global CO2 emissions.
Growing urban areas make it difficult for plants and animals to thrive. They also cause floods and flush chemicals into the oceans.
Around 90 per cent of our time is spent indoors, so the built environment has a huge impact on our wellbeing.
We need to hack our habitat and design better-built environments for us and the whole ecosystem.
---
Note: According to the current coronavirus guidelines, only the Aalto students and personnel can visit the Otaniemi campus exhibitions without pre-booking. From September 7 onwards, we will organise a few small group visits to the exhibitions at Väre and Vuorimiehentie 2. Visits must be booked in advance. Registration links will be updated here in September. For the time being, we’ll organise all events (except Infrastructure walk) as virtual events.
Our team in this game
The targets to reach
After rapid global urbanization, more people live in urban areas than in rural areas. Architecture and landscape architecture consider various social, political and ecological targets. Public outdoor spaces embody freedom and justice: squares, streets and parks are places to spend time and gather.
Sustainably managed forests combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and slow down biodiversity loss. We need to find efficient ways to sequester carbon in urban environments. As the climate gets warmer and cities are becoming even denser, invigorating vegetation and vibrant green networks are increasingly more important.
Extreme weather events cause stormwater overflows due to the sheer quantity of constructed surfaces and outdated stormwater systems. Nature-based solutions, such as green roofs, pervious pavements and vegetated retention or swale provide hydrological, biological and social benefits.
Human impacts on our seas are omnipresent: from noise pollution to microplastics, from eutrophication to oil spills. No human can ever know the ocean like the species that live underwater; but at the same time, our way of life constantly impacts the ocean.
As cities develop and societies change, there are buildings that find themselves in the wrong locations with the wrong functions. Instead of causing a huge carbon spike by demolition and new construction, they should be given a new life.
The construction industry is very materials intensive, and the majority of materials used are not renewable, recyclable or biodegradable. Building materials and structures are composites that are frequently difficult to separate and return to materials life-cycle loops.
To make necessary changes, we need intelligent and well-designed solutions.
Designs for a Cooler Planet
The event is a part of Helsinki Design Week’s official festival programme, the largest design festival in the Nordics takes place 3–13.9.2020. Designs for a Cooler Planet is also one of the EU's Green Week 2020 partner events.
Please notice that exhibitions are in four different locations at the Otaniemi campus area which all have different opening hours. Please check specific details from the exhibition pages. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and the event will follow all of the rules and regulations set by the Finnish authorities. The safety of the employees, students and visitors is always prioritised.
Graphic design: Olga Elliot & Milja Komulainen