Student Guide
Sustainable Mobility Action Plan for the Otaniemi Campus
One of the important goals of Aalto University is building a sustainable future. Securing the opportunities for a good life for current and future generations is important so that the environment, people and the economy are taken into account equally.
Movement is an important part of the overall sustainable development. The sustainable mobility plan for the Otaniemi campus, developed between 2022-2023, contributes to the realization of Aalto University's goals and outlines the development of transportation on campus. The action plan is user-centric and has been developed in ambitious collaboration with the users. It includes a vision, objectives, and a concrete action program.
The whole report (pdf) can be downloaded and read from the end of the page. The report is currently in Finnish, English version will be added later.
As a pioneer in mobility
With its sustainable mobility action plan, the entire community aims to be a pioneer in mobility. In the ongoing transformation of transportation, Aalto University strives to be among the organizations that boldly embrace global mobility megatrends such as the sharing economy, electric mobility, autonomous transportation, and data analytics.
The plan is directly linked to Aalto's dynamic strategy, which acknowledges the changing world and emphasizes that the university selects the development targets and actions that best align with its goals. The action plan serves as guidance and provides foundational information for future campus development projects and their budgeting.
The starting point and central objective are the realization of an inviting campus where technological and social innovations serve people, preserve the cultural distinctiveness of the area, and enable biodiversity.
All users - students, staff, and various visitors - find it pleasant and easy to arrive at the Otaniemi campus using sustainable means of transport. Arriving at Otaniemi by bicycle is smooth and safe thanks to high-quality and year-round maintained cycling paths. Protected bicycle parking that allows frame locking encourages arriving by bike. High-quality social facilities make it easy for cyclists to shower and change clothes. For public transportation and linked mobility services (MaaS), the metro and the Raide-Jokeri are the most obvious options when traveling to Otaniemi. Robotic buses serve those arriving from areas not covered by rail transport. Additionally, solutions based on sharing economy are encouraged and promoted, from simple carpools to the latest sharing platforms. For those arriving by private car, electric vehicle charging is available, even if the parking spot may be a short walk away from the destination.
Within the Otaniemi campus area, mobility is primarily based on walking, emphasizing accessibility, comfort, and stimulation. This is a natural consequence of the development, where the campus has become an increasingly social hub for both students and staff to meet people. Walking from one building to another and moving by (city) bicycle for longer transitions are part of promoting community on campus. As the most sustainable modes of transport, walking and cycling also enhance people's personal wellbeing. For longer transitions, electronic micro-mobility services are also available, but walking is always prioritized in intra-area mobility in infrastructure solutions, communication, and guidance. The development towards a walking campus and calming car traffic best enables wildlife movement in the area.
Sustainable mobility is a significant part of the Aalto University brand, and the university is internationally known for its comfortable and accessible walking campus.
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Otaniemi must be easily accessible by all means of transport, with the focus on sustainable options. To ensure this, Aalto University actively collaborates with, among others, the cities of Espoo and Helsinki, HSL, and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd.
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In all planning and construction in Otaniemi, the basis for internal traffic is a comfortable and accessible walking campus, where moving between outdoor and indoor spaces is seamless.
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Alongside the walking campus, other focuses in planning and construction are the facilities needed by cyclists and the centralization of car parking in parking facilities that include charging opportunities.
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Sustainable mobility is highlighted in all communication and information systems in the campus area, whether it is physical guidance, campus communication, or digital systems. Information and instructions related to sustainable mobility options are easily found by both campus users and visitors.
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As a significant employer and procurer, Aalto University's employee benefits and procurement contracts encourage sustainable mobility and logistics.
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The entire Aalto community promotes sustainable mobility together, in a spirit of genuine participation.
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Sustainable mobility promotion is included as an important perspective in all decision-making and operations.
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In promoting sustainable mobility, Aalto University's own innovation activities are utilized, for example, through course collaboration, which at the same time involves the community in development.
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In Otaniemi, the services for sustainable mobility must be in accordance with the goals. The service offering is produced on a market basis, favoring a sharing economy, but in such a way that the service offering does not create inequality in mobility, considering, for example, the low income level of students.
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In developing sustainable mobility, one important principle is a culture of experimentation, in which, for example, project funding is used to seek bold future solutions.
Benefits of Sustainable Mobility
Sustainable mobility is ecologically sustainable as it reduces emissions and other environmental impacts such as noise and space requirements.
Sustainable mobility is economically sustainable as investments in it are more cost-effective compared to other modes of transportation when considering both the travel distances and overall benefits. Sustainable mobility is also financially favorable for the traveler, considering the overall impacts.
Sustainable mobility is socially sustainable as it improves mobility opportunities for all users, increases active transportation, promotes wellbeing, and enhances the attractiveness of areas.
Sustainable campus
The key environmental impacts of the campus are related to energy consumption and transport. A sustainable and carbon neutral campus is at the core of the campus strategy.
Campus bikes and cycling
The mode of transport has a significant impact on the environment. Aalto strives to offer the most sustainable way of transport between campuses and within. Aalto and ACRE cooperate with HRT and nearby cities.
Driving and parking at Otaniemi
Driving and parking at Otaniemi
Spot the Jokeri Light Rail on the Otaniemi campus!
The technical test runs of the Jokeri Light Rail line will start on the Otaniemi area at 1st March 2023.
Aalto University Campus & Real Estate - ACRE
Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (ACRE) maintains, develops and rents out Aalto University facilities in Otaniemi and Töölö. We also build new concepts and shared facilities for parties outside the university, thus turning Otaniemi into a unique partnership centre and the most inspiring campus in the world.
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