The design guidelines for Otaniemi campus outdoor areas
The design guidelines aim to develop outdoor environments that support the university's activities as well as the wellbeing of nature and people.
Campus for people, plants and pollinators
The Otaniemi campus nature is managed with respect to biodiversity and the characteristic species of habitats. Endangered habitat types and their endangered species can be supported for example by establishing biodiverse neonate habitat meadows. These meadows provide pollinators with food through vegetation that flowers at different times of the year.
At the Otaniemi campus, outdoor areas are managed with various meadow plants to support the area's biodiversity. Established as new habitats, the meadows have their natural origins in traditional Finnish landscapes, such as rock outcrops or scorched meadows. Meadows provide habitat for various plant and animal species, including many rare butterflies and other insects. Meadow areas are not only visually beautiful and culturally and historically valuable traditional landscapes but are also essential for many endangered species, including many pollinators. Pollinators, which need a wide variety of food throughout the growing season, are particularly dependent on the vegetation of the multi-species grasslands.
Finnish wild plants are an essential part of the diversity of our meadows and our landscape heritage. Although the flora of dry meadows and meadows is naturally endemic in Finland, their conservation requires protection and management of the habitats. Many meadow plant species are threatened by habitat loss and afforestation, as well as competition from invasive species.
On campus, invasive species control has been carried out this spring, including Japanese tataract, giant ragweed and lupine. Meadows are forming for example near of the Dipoli.
Pollinators are the backbone of the ecosystem
Pollinators are vital to the functioning of the whole ecosystem. Their importance for plant reproduction, crop production and even human food production is irreplaceable. However, pollinator populations have collapsed in many places due to habitat loss and other factors.
Creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly habitats is a key measure to safeguard biodiversity and the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole. On campus, this has been considered by favouring multi-species environments and providing nesting sites for wild pollinators. In addition, the timing and frequency of mowing in grassland, for example, is regulated to allow flowering plants sufficient time to produce seeds and provide food.
More about the campus nature
The participatory budgeting project culminated in a happy planting workshop
One Euro for Every Student project culminated in a planting workshop in mid-May on the new garden benches
Read more news
Projects from Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center and CHEMARTS featured at Dutch Design Week
Aalto University’s exhibition “Designs for the Material Future” at Dutch Design Week attracted up to 10,000 visitors over nine days, gained attention in international media, and received praise from attendees.
Accessible routes in Aalto Space application
You can also choose an accessible route for navigation on campus.
Interdisciplinary course in Lisbon on plastic-free oceans- apply by 15 December
The course takes place online from January to April 2026 and face-to-face in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2026.