The University of Helsinki launched its participation in the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 year with a comprehensive theme “Designing society through thinking”. The aim is to communicate the actions of the university that contribute to the cultural, economic and social development of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and the living environment in general. www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012

1. Designing society
through thinking

2. university of helsinki &
WDc helsinki 2012
The University of Helsinki launched its participation in the World Design Capital
Helsinki 2012 year with a comprehensive theme “Designing society through thinking”.
The aim is to communicate the actions of the university that contribute to the cultural,
economic and social development of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and the living
environment in general. The University of Helsinki expands the concept of design to
encompass social innovations – design is seen not just in its traditional form, but as a
human-oriented way of solving challenges.
Follow the university’s WDC blog at www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012
More inforMation
Ira Leväaho
Project Manager, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012
University of Helsinki
Communications & Community Relations
Mobile +358 50 505 8152
E-mail ira.levaaho@helsinki.fi

3. teaching & learning Designing society through thinking
The Finnish educational system and teacher training at the University of Helsinki create
Passion
a strong foundation for Finland’s success in PISA evaluations and they have become an increasingly
export product. Projects in the Department of Teacher Education bring together strong scientific
expertise to develop learning contents, physical spaces and services and networks with the help of
new technology, creating a platform for distributing the Finnish equal-opportunity model of teaching
and learning both nationally and internationally.
ele – neW learning environMents
in teacher eDucation
Learning environments of the future integrate a variety of spaces
and services and combine contact teaching with digital tools.
Internet- and mobile-based working and learning platforms are
learning to be a teacher
The University of Helsinki designs society through teaching
and research. The project gives a face to Finnish teacher train-
ing, which has gained international recognition as the result
of Finland’s continuing PISA success. The project is an audi-
to learn
naturally connected to the learning experience.
The seamless fusion of pedagogic and psychological know-
ovisual introduction to teaching practice, an integral part of
Finnish teacher training. First class research shapes the Finn-
Adapting new ways of collective
how and technology supporting active learning and inclusive ish teacher training, which in turn designs Finland’s whole learning for better results.
methodology is important. The project aims to develop learning educational system.
spaces and technologies for use in teacher training. The labora-
tory for creating knowledge creates not only new understanding More inforMation
and learning, but also new practices and pedagogic solutions. Elina Kuusisto
Postdoctoral Researcher
More inforMation University of Helsinki
Oskari Salmi Mobile +358 50 318 0309
Project Manager elina.kuusisto@helsinki.fi
University of Helsinki
Tel. +358 50 3185 154
oskari.salmi@helsinki.fi

4. sustainable environMent Designing society through thinking
The environmental projects will create opportunities for improved quality of life and a better future.
The projects seek solutions to environmental problems and develop ecosystem services for
green
the needs of urban residents. They will create new spaces, experiences, natural areas
and sustainability amid the issues of climate change, as well as mental and physical well-being.
Sustainable development is an ideology and operating model that grows increasingly effective through
social discourse between urban residents and decision-makers.
Zone
fifth DiMension: innovative solutions anD global environMental change: university
ecosysteM services to benefit our cities of helsinki Designing a sustainable future
An upcoming trend in the world’s metropolises is urban retro- We aim to highlight top scientific research on global environ-
fitting – the development of cities towards more sustainability, mental problems as well as innovative solutions to solve them.
where the use of urban space and ecosystem services play a The project themes are climate change, the Baltic Sea and urban
key role. ecosystem services.
The popularity of green roofs, or roofs of buildings covered The core idea in this project is the dialogue between the citi-
with living vegetation, is growing rapidly around the world, and
they are seen as an essential element of sustainable develop-
zens and decision-makers through the new innovative methods
by using environmental and bio art as media in science com- Rethinking our environment
ment. However, Finnish building culture, urban planning and munication. Enhancing the use of environmental research in for more sustainable living.
design are lagging behind in this respect. societal discussion and decision-making forms our society, and
Green roofs are an excellent means of reducing the adverse can be considered as design for the future.
environmental effects of urbanisation and problems caused by
climate change. While the climate has been found to be chang- More inforMation
ing even faster than forecast in the latest Intergovernmental Kati Vierikko
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, one of the counter- Coordinator of Environmental Research
measures taken by many major cities is the goal of radically in- University of Helsinki
creasing vegetated roof areas. Department of Environmental Sciences
Mobile +358 40 7372298
More inforMation kati.vierikko@helsinki.fi
Susanna Lehvävirta
Researcher
University of Helsinki, Finnish Museum of Natural History
Mobile +358 50 576 2952
susanna.lehvavirta@helsinki.fi

5. learning environMent Designing society through thinking
The design of learning environments provides us with new types of ‘oases’ for learning
oasis of
that suit the needs of widely different learners. They serve as showcases of science and facilitate
encounters between different actors. Interactive learning environments and service models
that encourage participation are developed in a user-orientated manner through service design,
making use of space and technology in a new way.
sMart Design – helsinki university
library’s service Design Project
The objective of the service design project at the Helsinki Uni-
versity Library is to create a coherent, user-oriented and flexible
service concept with the help of a web-based developer commu-
Kaisa building), the high quality experiential services offer the
World Design Capital 2012 an impressive design product and an
interesting venue in the monumental centre of Helsinki.
science
nity. The new service concept and involvement of users enable Creating an intelligent and
the reform of traditional library services, the probing and im-
plementation of new technologies and work processes as well as
More inforMation
Inkeri Salonharju
inspiring space where
the long-term development of library services also in the future.
The service design project will improve the Library’s on-site
Project Manager new science can be born.
Helsinki University Library
and online services aimed at its user base of nearly 100,000. Tel. +358 9 1912 4377, +358 50 415 5528
Together with the new City Centre Campus Library (a.k.a. the inkeri.salonharju@helsinki.fi

6. stuDent caPital Designing society through thinking
A student-centred approach and participation are key terms for the set of projects aimed at
stuDent
bolstering the national and international competitive strength of the Helsinki metropolitan area as
an attractive place to live, study and work. The Student Capital brings together the public, private and
third sectors, acknowledging the real needs of the different actors. The Student Capital aims to satisfy
the needs at every stage of a learner’s life, from the beginning of university studies to lifelong learning,
turning learners into proud alumni who act as global ambassadors for not just the university
caPital
but Helsinki as a whole.
WorlD stuDent caPital helsinki suMMer school
The more than 90,000 higher education students in the Helsinki The thirteenth Helsinki Summer School (HSS) will be arranged
capital region is an invaluable resource for the city. The objective on 7–23August 2012. HSS celebrates the World Design Capital
of the World Student Capital project is to make students visible 2012 by offering high-quality multidisciplinary courses on de-
in the city and encourage them to be active and creative citizens. sign. In addition we are rethinking our service concept with the
Through the World Student Capital, students will create sus- help of service design. The multidisciplinary courses – all taught Co-creating Helsinki
tainable solutions for everyday challenges, serving both students
and other citizens. The student initiatives will cover topics such
in English – aim at stimulating thought and intellectual develop-
ment in an open and diverse environment. A city known for its the world’s most studentfriendly
as urban living, transportation, entrepreneurship and lively cam-
pus culture.
design, technology, and vibrant cultural life, Helsinki is sure to
be the experience of a lifetime.
community.
More inforMation More inforMation
Aura Kostiainen Pauliina Mikkonen
The Student Union of the University of Helsinki Programme manager
Mobile +358 50 595 0329 Tel. +358 9 191 24 062
aura.kostiainen@hyy.fi pauliina.mikkonen@helsinki.fi

7. see you in the think corner!
During the WDC year, the University of Helsinki will take top-level research
and the university’s many WDC projects to the public, hoping to ignite lively
debate over various topics. For this purpose it will open the Think Corner at
Aleksanterinkatu 7.
The Think Corner is a meeting place for the university community and the
public, turning science into an approachable experience. Drop in for a cup of
coffee, pick up something interesting to read or have an inspiring chat with other
friends of science. Come to the Think Corner and share the WDC year with us!
To find out more about the Think Corner programme, read the university’s WDC
blog at www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012
More inforMation
Ira Leväaho Tanja Paananen
Project Manager, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 Marketing Communication Manager
University of Helsinki University of Helsinki
Communications & Community Relations Communications & Community Relations
Mobile +358 50 505 8152 Mobile +358 50 415 4508
E-mail ira.levaaho@helsinki.fi E-mail tanja.paananen@helsinki.fi