Ecology and Management of Urban Green Space

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label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:00 history_edu Cristian Ion
Urban green space is vital for the inhabitants of urban areas, because it provides benefits such as recreational and educational opportunities, aesthetic experiences and health promoting activities. These unsealed, permeable areas are also essential for the provision of other life supporting ecosystem services, such as the maintenance of the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles as well as regulation of climate and air quality.

Moreover, habitats and species in urban forests, semi-natural grasslands and wetlands can have significant conservation values, particularly in countries such as Finland. Remnant habitats that have become encapsulated within urban areas are often recognized as particularly valuable for biodiversity.In order to sustain biodiversity and maintain the provision of ecosystem services in urban areas, it is vital to conserve green areas of adequate size and ecological quality. The problem of fragmentation needs to be addressed by providing movement possibilities for various taxa, by maintaining sufficient connectivity between habitat patches and by supporting functional ecological networks.

To accomplish the conservation of biological diversity and ecosystem services, it is necessary to incorporate ecological information into land-use planning as well as into green space planning and management.Prior to the course, students are expected to read two relevant research articles (provided before the course begins) and write a short analytic essay based on them. Participants will also be asked to provide a short description of their own academic background, to explain their interest in this course, and to indicate their expectations regarding this course. These assignments must be completed and submitted one week before the start of classes.

Period
07-08-2012 - 23-08-2012 (3 weeks)

Target group
This course is intended for students who have completed two to four years of study in relevant disciplines as well as for MSc students and professionals whose fields are related to the courses subject matter.

Course aim
On the Ecology and Management of Urban Green Space course students are introduced to the theory and practice of the ecology and management of green space in cities and urban regions. Urban sustainability, an ecosystem services approach and social-ecological linkages in city and green space planning are addressed, and examples of designing a green city are discussed. The excursions focus on the issues of ecology and environmental technology linked to urban green space and water elements. Another focus is on the role of green space in improving the ecological function of urban areas.



Credits
5.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 470: Course fee

The course fee can be paid with a credit card or with a bank transfer before the start of the Helsinki Summer School. It can also be paid upon your arrival in Helsinki. Degree and exchange students attending universities in the Helsinki area are exempted from the course fee. Degree and exchange students attending other Finnish universities are required to pay a half of the course fee (235 EUR).

EUR 150: Registration fee

The registration fee is 150 EUR additional fees for international students. Payment is due within seven days of receipt of written notification of your acceptance to Helsinki Summer School. If you register before 31 May 2012, you will receive a 50 EUR discount on the registration fee. The registration fee for degree or exchange students attending Finnish universities is 50 EUR. The registration fee is non-refundable. Payment may be made either by bank transfer or credit card (Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard only).If we do not receive a credit card payment or copy of the bank transfer within one week of notification of your acceptance, we will have no choice but to cancel your course reservation. Your application will, however, remain in our database and, if there are still places available, you may renew your registration simply by contacting us.

Course leader
Dr. Vesa Yli-Pelkonen

Helsinki Summer School is supported by a consortium of nine universities in the Helsinki region.
Address: P.O. Box 3 University of Helsinki
Postal code: FI-00014
City: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Website: http://www.helsinkisummerschool.fi/home/index
E-mail: summer-school@helsinki.fi
Phone: +358 (0)9 191 24766