Online course: Integrating Biodiversity and Water Management in Smart Urban Planning
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Online session: Integrating biodiversity and water management in smart urban planning

Kuupäev: 06.10.2025

Toimumiskoht: Online (Zoom link will be sent to registered participants)

How can cities balance technology, people and nature?

This online session provides the latest practical and academic knowledge on integrating biodiversity and the natural environment into urban planning, from creating greener streets to ensuring safe swimming waters. 

You’ll learn how to use data and digital tools to monitor and manage the urban natural environment. By the end of this session, you’ll understand how biodiversity can become a driver of healthier cities with satisfied residents, and how to make this happen using modern digital tools. 

The session is moderated by Kalle Toiskallio, Head of Research Delivery at FinEst Centre for Smart Cities.

The participation fee is 130 euros (includes 24% VAT) per participant.

Register here until September 30.

What will you gain from participating? 

By joining you will:  

  • Receive preparatory materials one week before the session. 
  • Gain latest academic and practical knowledge on urban biodiversity and its role in urban planning. 
  • Learn how to use digital tools like Urban Digital Twins and water quality sensors to monitor and manage the natural environment. 
  • Get inspired by case studies and success stories, while also learning how to avoid common pitfalls. 
  • Connect with peers, experts and practitioners across municipalities for future collaboration. 
  • Understand the paradigm shift: from tech-oriented to bio-centric urban planning. 

Is this useful for you?

This session is especially useful for: 

  • Development and project managers in local governments who shape urban policies and projects. 
  • Heads of Urban Planning offices who are looking to integrate better planning for green and blue infrastructure. 
  • Urban developers who are responsible for bathing water quality, urban greenery and resilient natural spaces. 
  • Urban planning consultants who advise municipalities on smart and sustainable growth. 
  • Anyone eager to bring biodiversity into the heart of smart city development. 

Ajakava

13:00-13:10

Welcome & introduction

Moderator:

Kalle Toiskallio 
Head of Research Delivery 
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities

13:10-13:55

Strategic approaches for integrating biodiversity in urban digital twin

This session highlights the importance of urban biodiversity and its connection to the global biodiversity crisis and cities.

Participants will explore the transition from traditional urban planning methods, urban biodiversity strategies, and action plans towards urban digital twins.

In this context, key themes entail data, modelling, adaptive system integration, and interaction.   

Laura Mrosla
Early-stage researcher, architect and digital twins expert
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology & Aalto University

13:55-14:40

Practical workflow and urban applications for integrated biodiversity data

Urban green area data are often collected unsystematically in cities, making it difficult to assess the green network and to track changes over time.

Remote sensing surveys and AI interpretation tools offer ways to establish resource-light, regular data collection workflows that can be integrated into 3D city models.

Integrated 3D data on urban green areas enable a wide range of applications, such as ecosystem service estimation, greenery data for spatial planning, green area maintenance allocation planning, and assessments of green area connectivity.

These representations and simulations provide powerful support for smarter, more sustainable urban management and for building climate-resilient cities.

Henna Fabritius
Senior Research Fellow, digital twins and biodiversity researcher
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology 

14:40-15:25

Water quality sensors for decisions support and resilient urban environments

This session highlights how water quality sensors can be applied as decision-support tools to safeguard public health and the environment. Learn how sensor-driven insights can guide planning and design for safer, healthier, and more resilient urban environments.  

Ciprian Briciu-Burghina
Research Fellow, expert on environmental monitoring and assessment
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology / DCU Water Institute, Dublin City University

15:25-15:30

Final words & questions. End of the session.

Get to know the speakers

Laura Mrosla
LinkedIn

Laura Mrosla (M.Sc., DÉA) is a researcher at the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities and PhD candidate at both TalTech and Aalto University, focusing on the integration of biodiversity into Urban Digital Twins.

Her work combines diverse data sources, dynamic spatio-temporal modeling methods and stakeholder collaboration to emphasize biodiversity’s critical role in cities.

By highlighting more-than-human stakeholders, Laura bridges urban development, natural conservation and restoration efforts, and emerging technologies to advance resilient, sustainable and adaptive urban environments. 

Henna Fabritius
LinkedIn

Dr. Henna Fabritius works as a Senior Researcher at the FinEst Centre of Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology. After defending her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Helsinki, Henna has worked or been affiliated with as an academic visitor in five universities in Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

With a background ranging from software R&D to spatio-temporal modelling of ecological dynamics, she is currently leading several research projects on digital biodiversity for urban areas and the Built Environment thematic group of the FinEst Centre of Smart Cities.  

Ciprian Briciu-Burghina
LinkedIn

Dr. Ciprian Briciu-Burghina’s expertise covers analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, sensor design and prototyping, optical detection, and environmental monitoring.

Ciprian is the co-developer of ColiSense, a rapid on-site test kit for detecting and quantifying E. coli in environmental waters.

As a technical expert, he has co-led major research projects such as EXEMPLAR and A-WaMS, advancing rapid technology development and market transfer through prototyping and pilot-scale testing. His research focuses on sensor technologies for environmental monitoring—spanning water, air, and soil—and on harnessing high-resolution data to inform decision-making.

He has contributed to numerous projects on sensor design, field validation, and technology assessment in real-world settings.  

 

Speakers and moderators

Dr. Kalle Toiskallio

Tallinn University of Technology
Aalto University

Smart Mobility

Dr. Eeva Henna Helena Fabritius

Tallinn University of Technology

Built Environment, Urban Analytics & Data

Dr. Ciprian Briciu‑Burghina

Research Fellow
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities

Tallinn University of Technology

Laura Mrosla 

Tallinn University of Technology

Built Environment, Urban Analytics & Data Stream