1. Scales of Environmental Technologies in
SustainableCities of the Future
Design for Living Environment – Micro to Macro
NEPTUNE – Network for Environmental
Projects, UNited in Europe
Presentation for Suburb 2072
Gary Watkins Wednesday, March 28, 2012
NEPTUNE 2012

2. Content
• Neptuneconcept and Project 2012 - Helsinki
• NEPTUNE Student output example

3. NEPTUNE – Network for Environmental
Projects, UNited in Europe
Helsinki - 9-17 March 2012

4. NEPTUNE Objectives
“Creating a realisticlearningenvironment and
working in multi-nationalprojectteamswith a
multi-disciplinaryapproach.”

5. NEPTUNE Circles
• NEPTUNE-circlesareformedby 5 educationalunits, eachfrom a
differentEuropean country.
• HeadquartersNoordelijkeHogeschoolLeeuwarden, NHL University
of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. Participating in allcircles
• Aalto and NHL are in the Circle III - Built Environment, along with:
– Technical University of Applied Sciences Béthune, France
– University of L’Aquila, Italy
– University of Maribor, Slovenia

6. SpecialStudies in Aalto
• Pre-work in home university 1 cr
• Project work on location 2 cr
• Finalreporting in home university 1 cr
• Sharedonlinelearningplatform: Blackboard
• International multi-diciplinarygroups of sixstudents with a
designatedfacilitator (supervisor)
– Competition –>Award for bestgroupwork

7. NEPTUNE 2012, Helsinki
Design for Living Environment – Micro to Macro
• International multi-disciplinarygroupwork for 9 days: 9.-17.3.2012
– Orientationweekend: Solvalla, Nuuksio, Espoo
– Sitevisit Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki
– Daily groupwork on Otaniemi campus
– Othervisits and guestlecturesincluded:
• Viikinmäki wastewatertreatmentplant
• Prof. Stefan Winter, TU Munich + Aalto - Wood construction for residentialareas
• Prof. Pekka Heikkinen, Aalto - Architecturalaspects in zero-energywoodconstruction
• Mr. Kerkko Vanhanen , HSL - Kruunuvuorenranta: A Short Distance from The City – A
Birdseye View)
– Finalseminar, Friday 16.3.2012
• Jury members were: Prof. Stefan Winter (TU Munich, Aalto ), Prof. Pekka Heikkinen
(Aalto ) , Prof. Olli Dahl (Aalto), Prof. Riku Vahala (Aalto), Mrs. Katja Soini (Aalto), Mr.
Kerkko Vanhanen (HSL) and Mr. Jari Tirkkonen (City of Helsinki).

8. Problem-based learning. Focus on process of team building and international multi-
disciplinary project work. Creative technical output.

9. Neptune 2012

10. Project area

12. Outline
• Is it possible for a living environment to supply all its needs AND
create a comfortable environment for inhabitants?
• Different focus for partner universities:
– Béthune Heating and cooling systems
– Aalto Electric power supply
– Leeuwarden Water management
– Maribor Waste management
– L’Aquila Energy efficient construction and architecture
• Our students needed to take a HOLISTIC view and consider many
aspects at the same time and the trade-offs between them. With
attention paid on the wellbeing aspects of the residents.

13. From Micro to Macro…

14. System design – scope and criteria
• Area plan - orientation for solar input and wind
• Traffic - roads, trams, bridges
• Building design - energy optimized, water use and waste reduction with the goal of low level
of all emissions
• Architectural vision - Helsinki policies (Environmental and other)
• Infrastructure - Daycare/kindergarten design and location and services
• Two parks - areas to be developed
• Surrounding water as a resource - house boats, leisure
• Re-design - Second life for remaining old oil tanks
• Reuse - Underground caverns, volume of about 300.000 m3, water
treatment, waste, energy, leisure etc.
Make a healthy living community with a minimised environmental footprint

16. NEPTUNE 2012
• Scales of Environmental Technologies in SustainableCities of
the Future - Design for Living Environment – Micro to Macro
• Is it possible for a living environment to supply all its needs
AND create a comfortable environment for inhabitants?
• Winning Group’s concept
– Team “Froguts” –
– Recolonising Earth - Intending to Stay

17. Thanks!
Gary.watkins@aalto.fi