Co-design Better Urban Living and Well-being Summer School

Do you want to learn more about innovative solutions for environmental challenges?

Are you interested in how to combine urban living with nature and well-being?

Do you want to know more about planetary health?

Welcome to our summer school Co-design Better Urban Living and Well-being – Planetary Health, which is aimed for students interested in environmental issues with either technical, business, design, social or healthcare background. Multidisciplinary and international summer school focuses on to the themes related to planetary health. During summer school you will learn how human health and the health of the planet are closely connected and what can be done to protect and enhance both.

The summer school is a cooperation  between all academic bodies operating in Lahti including LAB University of Applied Sciences, LUT University, University of Helsinki, and Lahti University Campus. City of Lahti and Päijät-Häme Joint Authority for Health and Wellbeing are also strongly involved.

When?

Summer school will be organized on May 30 – June 10, 2022 on site in Lahti City.

Timetable

Course description

Slideshow  about practicalities

Topics and cases of the summer school

Our impact on the environment: Planetary Boundaries and overconsumption; Environmental pollution; Urban biodiversity

The impact of environmental changes on our health: Non-communicable diseases and our changing environment;  Mental wellbeing and nature-based solutions; Planetary health in healthcare,

Achieving sustainable lifestyles
Climate change mitigation potential of Finnish households through consumption changes; Sustainable mobility; About town planning; Citizen Participation

Delivering successful consultancy presentation

Service design

The presentations and discussion during the weeks will take place in authentic location in Lahti and surroundings. This way you can experience the environment and nature like locals. Program contains several sessions and lectures from experts, from field of environment, health and urban living.

This international summer school is aimed for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students with either technical, business, design, social, or healthcare background. All students are welcome!

See the cases students team are solving in the summer school (some changes might happen)

Aarni project :  Finland is a country of thousands of lakes, 168,000 lakes to be precise. LAB University of Applied Sciences is running the Aarni project, which envisions a modern Nature Centre and experiments with the digital exhibition and experience solutions of the future. The task is to study water as part of nature tourism and, based on research, to envision and develop a service concept for young international travelers for 2030. The concept should have a digital perspective that also offers experience before and after visiting the site, or the concept can offer a completely remote experience. More information when we meet!

Nature Step to Health: reaching youth: There are many stories behind youth that need help from the healthcare system more frequently. Preventive healthcare would be crucial for their health and for sustainability, but these target groups may be difficult to reach. In challenge 2 teams pick two target groups from the young people (examples given or create yourself), while considering the true need for life coaching. Discuss which change/issue might be the most effective in improving their health and sustainability, and what hinders or motivates life changes. Design a campaign for your target groups in Lahti area.

Mukkula area project: The project concentrates on the suburban area of Mukkula close to Niemi campus. This area has been a target in development project since 2020. The task is to get connected with the gathered information and to design an event which could support the local identity and involve citizens with different background and age.   Focus is on multi-faceted approach to planning, design and management of a public space.

Go Green route project: In challenge 4 teams prepare a plan for achieving the best health and wellbeing benefits related to blue space. Focus on different user groups and results of scientific studies published in scholar journals. Your plan should include the evidence-based need, tasks, outcomes, and expected impact. In addition, prepare a blog article to be published.

Credits

The 2-week study programme consists of lectures, workshops, excursions & teamwork. Completing the whole programme gives 5 ECTS. Evaluation passed/failed

Summer School is free of charge, you only have to pay your accomodation and travel costs.

International Experience, Finnish Summer

We will have staff and students coming from 10 – 20 different countries. The social programme offers the opportunity to experience Finnish summer and culture with activities, such as sauna bathing and swimming in the lake. The midnight sun guarantees 24 hours of daylight!

Accommodation

Accommodation is organized in student housing apartments. The students living in Lahti region take care of their own housing arrangements.

Come and experience the international feeling in this summer school!

Useful links

Visit Lahti

This is Finland

Lahti European Green Capital 2021

LAB University of Applied Sciences

LUT University

University of Helsinki

Lahti University Campus