We study the development, sustainability, and safety of communities
Our strength lies in extensive data resources and their long-term development and utilization in both our research and the services we offer.
Cities as pioneers of sustainability
We promote the sustainability of housing, construction, water supply, urban nature, and community structure by developing datasets, methods, criteria, and indicators for analysing both current and future solutions.
We investigate the impacts of service transformations and multi-locality, as well as assess the sustainability of transportation in various community structure scenarios. We are developing the water supply chain from groundwater to drinking water and wastewater treatment. We support holistic solutions that simultaneously prevent biodiversity loss, promote human well-being, mitigate climate change, and assist in adaptation.
The flood centre anticipates the development of flood situations and supports authorities in their management.
Our current projects regarding the built environment
Cities can be densified nature-smartly
Urban densification has been considered a solution that both benefits the economy and curbs climate emissions from transport. However, densification should not lead to a decline in biodiversity nor in the well-being of residents. Read how cities can be densified so that both residents and local nature thrive.
Uula Saastamoinen: Sustainability transformation requires developing multi-hazard governance of forests
Climate change has many unpredictable impacts on Finland's forests. We developed an impact assessment framework suitable for examining multi-hazard risks in forests. Preparing for and adapting to the impacts requires effective cross-sectoral cooperation, writes Uula Saastamoinen in his Ratkaisuja blog.
We provide information and tools about the built environment
Follow the development of the Ryhti system
The built environment information system (Ryhti) compiles planning and construction data nationwide.
The flood centre
The joint Flood Centre of the Finnish Environment Institute and the Finnish Meteorological Institute forecasts and warns about floods and maintains a continuous situational picture related to them on the vesi.fi website.
