WHAT IS URBANENVIRO?
Over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. By the year 2030, 60-70% of the human population is predicted to be urban dwellers. Global and local environmental problems related to urbanization are immense. The ecological footprint of a city can be 120 times larger than the area of the city itself. The concept City Footprint means the area of land needed to provide the necessary resources and absorb the wastes generated by a community and highlights the large impact a city has on its environment.
Various university units in the city of Lahti launched a three-year project called UrbanEnviro, which focuses on urban environments and internationalization. The project is, in part, a response to challenges related to internationalization. Project helps to build international infrastructure to the area.
Organisations involved in the project include the University of Helsinki Department of Environmental Sciences, Palmenia and Open University, Tampere University of Technology Department of Materials Science, Lappeenranta University of Technology Lahti School of Innovation and Lahti University of Applied Sciences. The Lahti University Consortium coordinates this project.u
The project enables piloting and modelling of an innovative forms of education. With cooperation also the supporting services will be a firm part of Lahti higher education scene. In international support services the Lahti University of Applied Sciences has good experience.
The project started in the autumn of 2010 with the Master's Degree Programme in Multidisciplinary Studies is the Urban Environmental Issues (MURE). It is an international degree programme at University of Helsinki. In the spring of 2011 a new minor, entitled Materials and the Environment started by Tampere University of Technology. During the spring 2011 started also courses provided by Lappeenranta University of Technology, one of which is Environmental Management and Business.
These courses and modules will dramatically increase English-medium education in Lahti. Additionally, these courses offer Finnish-speaking students new opportunities to attend up-to-date, research-based courses at university level. As the project progresses, the courses or parts thereof will be designed to provide opportunities to participate in these via the Open University or continuing education.
The UrbanEnviro project also organises International Meeting Points for international students and researchers at Learning Centre Fellmannia.
More information
Project Manager Eira Rosberg eira.rosberg(at)lahdenyliopistokeskus.fi
tel. +358 (0)50 317 5427
Master's Degree Programme in Multidisciplinary Studies on Urban Environmental Issues (120 ECTS)
Minor Materials and the Environment at Tampere University of Technology (25 ECTS)
Web portal www.studyinlahti.fi
Possible subjects to Urban Water continuing education (UH)
Urban Ecology Research Group at University of Helsinki
Project is funded by EU Social Fund through the Häme Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, City of Lahti and the universities mentioned in the text.
