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.
Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering
Urban realities are becoming increasingly dynamic, complex and fragmented while demands for their liveability, sustainability, competitiveness, and attractiveness increase. Our research connects spatial planning and transportation engineering for developing new scientific knowledge needed in systemic understanding, problem-solving, and integrative planning and policy-making beyond sectoral boundaries, aimed at achieving equitable, sustainable and attractive environments.
Water and Environmental Engineering
Water and Environmental Engineering research at Aalto University aims to find solutions to decrease resource scarcity and to support sustainability. Our research is divided into two strategic areas: global water issues and sustainable circular economy, which are further divided into four research entities.
Real Estate Economics
Real estate economics analyses the dynamics of real estate markets from the perspectives of e.g. business, planning, technology, value formation and law. The Real Estate Economics research group at Aalto University is the only university-level research unit in Finland focusing on the broad area of real estate.
Geoinformatics
Geoinformatics at Aalto University is a truly multidisciplinary field. Our research and its applications cover a wide range of themes from human-centred to natural environments.
MeMo - Research Institute of Measuring and Modeling for the Built Environment
The goal of the Institute is to produce world-class research and development of the measurement technology in the field of construction and environmental engineering.
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
Shaking up Tech encourages young women and minorities to explore technology
The Shaking up Tech event will take place on 22 January 2026. The Event is aimed at young women and gender minorities who are considering their future study and career paths.
Training offered in AI in research, data visualisation, cyber security + more – register now!
New topics included! Registrations for autumn 2025 are open.
Scientific Computing Skills: a new umbrella course for all researchers
Today, computing skills are essential not only in academic research but also across industries. Take part in hands-on trainings provided by Aalto Scientific Computing and by partner organisations such as CodeRefinery and CSC IT Center for Science.
Unite! Seed Fund 2025 – Aalto involved in 15 projects
From the 2025 Seed Fund call, 30 proposals were selected for funding. Aalto is involved in 15 of these projects and coordinates one.Events
Aalto Data Agents' weekly support hour on Zoom
Join and ask anything about research data management and open science.
Public defence in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering, M.Sc. Architecture Eveliina Harsia-Mikkola
What does polyphony mean in urban planning, and what kinds of practices are needed to realize it?Aalto AI Talks: Studying and Teaching with AI 21.10.2025
Studying and Teaching with AI: challenges and opportunities
Current trends in open access publishing: Introduction to Rights Retention Strategy (RRS), Oct 21, 2025
Learn about the Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) with experts from Legal and Research Services.Contact information: Department of Built Environment
Find contact details for the Department of Built Environment.
Where to find us
Otakaari 4
Mechanical engineering 1, K1
Datavägen 1 E
Vatten- och miljöteknik, Vattenbyggnaden, mån–fre 8.00–15.45
Tietotie 1
Marine Technology, Aalto Ice and Wave Tank
