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.
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
Zhengmao Li selected as visiting professor at TU Graz
The two-month visit will bring Aalto and Graz University of Technology’s hydrogen research communities closer together through teaching, seminars and new research opportunities.
Unite! helps startups expand across Europe
Unite! soft-landing services support startups in expanding into new European markets by offering direct access to local innovation ecosystems, tailored matchmaking with industry and research partners, and hands-on support at Unite! universities across Europe.
Funding for impact assessment research concerning the Helsinki Capital region available
Funding call of the Urban Impact project (Kaupunkivaikutus) is open until 11. October 2026.
Unite! Seed Fund 2026 – Aalto involved in eight projects
From the 2026 Seed Fund call, 22 proposals were selected for funding. Aalto is involved in eight of these projects and coordinates one.Events
Research funding seminar series, part 2/2: Grant writing seminar focusing on the Research Council of Finland, 29.9.2026
Aalto University Research Services will hold a webinar on writing a strong funding application for the RCF’s November 2027 call.
Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom
Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom
Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
Marsio Presents, 8 October 2026: Learning Now in the age of AI
Join us at Marsio Presents: Learning Now in the Age of AI - a morning for Aalto educators to explore how pedagogy is evolving in an AI‑enabled world. Enjoy breakfast and hear real examples, experiments, and insights from educators and students.Contact information: Department of Built Environment
Find contact details for the Department of Built Environment.
