The built environment is undergoing a significant shift that concerns all areas of daily life. Climate change, sustainability targets, and advances in technology pose their own challenges. Amid all of this, buildings and infrastructure play an enormous role in determining how safe and resilient our environment is.
A successful energy transition and people’s everyday life depend on reliable infrastructure. That is exactly what LUT’s civil engineering research and education deal with. The programme starts on the Lahti campus in autumn 2027.
Buildings store energy and materials – ready to be used again
Buildings are a mirror of society: they reflect energy production and policies, mobility choices, and societal functions. Today, properties are being retrofitted with EV charging systems, but in the future, buildings can house larger energy storage systems that provide flexibility to handle energy demand fluctuations.
“New solutions require deep, specialised expertise, but at the same time, the intersection of different industries is generating a growing need for coordination. That is why we plan to train both specialists and big-picture thinkers,” says Kirsi Taivalantti, development director and leader of LUT's effort to establish the new research and education field.
Building materials matter more than ever. Buildings should be thought of as storages: resources to be reused as extensively as possible. EU legislation is increasingly demanding exactly that. The EU is also pressing for legislation on sustainable and reusable materials and products.
“We are focusing on, for example, how digital twins can be used to profitably recycle entire building components, not just construction and demolition waste. That is how you grow business value,” Taivalantti adds.
New business opportunities in services and at the intersection of construction and other industries
The built environment is already generating large amounts of data that can serve as the foundation for entirely new service-based business models.
“Finland has long exported products from mechanical wood processing to the world. The greatest growth potential lies in digital services and smart products, which do not require investing in factories,” says Olli Pyrhönen, dean of the LUT School of Energy Systems.
The construction industry also needs new business models for another reason: buildings can no longer be counted on to appreciate in value over time. Investors must now weigh risks in entirely new ways in both new buildings or renovation projects.
The fragmented nature of the construction business adds another layer of complexity. A single project can involve tens of parties – from the client and investor to the designer, authorities, and general, sub-, and specialist contractors. Supply chains can stretch remarkably far and wide.
“Every player is also looking to capture their own margin, which affects both the cost and the quality of construction. On the other hand, some players have found ways to combine multiple roles within their own business model, such as manufacturing and leasing,” says Kirsi Taivalantti.
Climate change is putting the safety of buildings and infrastructure to the test
The safety of buildings and infrastructure is more important than ever. However, it is not just about military security or even the reliable operation of energy, water, and waste systems – it is also about the threats posed by climate change.
“We are seeing more intense storms and floods, and on the other hand, more heat, drought, and erosion. Climate needs to be taken better into account when we design infrastructure and buildings,” Pyrhönen says.
From the safety perspective, it is also essential that society's systems – including telecommunications – work well together. A lack of coordination between systems can itself be enough to trigger a dangerous situation.
“A simple breakdown in communication in, say, traffic management or in handling an emergency can have enormous economic, societal, and human consequences,” explains Taivalantti.
Ultimately, safety comes down to ordinary everyday life and building the conditions for people to live well.
“Research shows that a well-maintained built environment enhances both safety and well-being, whereas neglected, run-down buildings are linked to social problems. That is why maintenance is also a safety issue,” Taivalantti says.
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