Alvar Aalto Route’s guide to responsible travel

Sustainability is an integral part of the Alvar Aalto Route

On the Alvar Aalto Route, sustainability means practical actions that help preserve cultural heritage, support local communities, and develop tourism in a sustainable way now and in the future. On the Route, sustainability is understood broadly: in addition to environmental responsibility, it also includes cultural, social, and economic sustainability.

In Alvar Aalto’s architecture, nature, people, and the built environment form a balanced whole. The same idea is reflected in the Route today. The aim is to make sustainability a visible and natural part of the visitor experience at all destinations.

Responsible travel is also visible to visitors

The Alvar Aalto Route’s guide to responsible travel encourages visitors to make sustainable choices before, during, and after their journey. The guide highlights themes such as slower travel, the use of public transport, supporting local services, respecting cultural heritage, recycling, and taking nature into account as part of the visit.

Every visitor can, through their own choices, help keep Aalto destinations alive and thriving for future generations.

Concrete sustainability actions by the Route’s members

Ahlström Works

• energy is produced through hydropower, a wood-chip heating plant, ground-source heat, and solar panels
• key raw materials come from the site’s own forests and from local producers
• the destination takes part in the Ahlström Collective Impact initiative and also cooperates with schools and daycare centres
• waste is recycled, responsible products are sourced for the museum shop, and vegetarian dishes are served daily at the Club

Alvar Aalto Society

• the Society maintains discussion on cultural heritage, cultural environments, and architecture from a sustainability perspective
• public events and excursions highlight the importance of preserving buildings, interiors, and cultural environments
• the Society shares knowledge on sustainable architectural solutions and the value of preservation

Finlandia Hall

• energy efficiency is being improved
• food waste is being reduced

Inkeroinen

• Aalto-themed events are organised to empower the local community and to share Aalto’s legacy
• events are kept free of charge or very affordable
• inclusivity and different dietary needs are taken into account

Juurikka Catering

• energy efficiency has been improved through measures such as ground-source heat, air-source heat pumps, and energy-efficient material solutions
• recycling practices have been extensively renewed

University of Jyväskylä

• the botanical garden and its biodiversity are cared for in a long-term way
• practical actions include extending mowing intervals, reducing lawn areas, meadow workdays, new meadow areas, deadwood gardens, and insect hotels
• the University’s work is also guided by programmes and operating models related to planetary wellbeing

University of Jyväskylä campus area

• SYK monitors greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, assesses the state of biodiversity, and develops recycling
• Semma’s services are certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
• at Restaurant Villa Rana, vegetarian food has a strong role and a vegan lunch is offered weekly
• at Restaurant Taide, a vegan lunch is available every day and surplus food is sold at a reduced price
• Wicked Rabbit Lunch Café Tiede emphasises vegetarian food, and on Tuesdays the entire offering is vegan

Kauttuan Jokisauna

• the restaurant uses local food, vegetables from nearby producers, wild berries from Satakunta, fish from Lake Pyhäjärvi, and game from nearby forests
• recycling is highlighted in the design shop, where recycled furniture forms an important part of the selection
• the operation promotes equal working life and the employment of people with intellectual disabilities
• the destination also highlights natural values, such as the recreational importance of the Eurajoki River

Kouvola

• equal treatment of stakeholders is part of the city’s sustainability approach
• local and responsibly produced items are preferred in supporting marketing materials
• public transport, especially trains, is used in everyday work

Lahti / Church of the Cross

• fossil fuels have been phased out in heating
• sorting and recycling are part of everyday operations

Magni Mundi

• the operation is based on the sustainable use of cultural heritage
• partners are trained and encouraged to take sustainability into better account

Pro Sunila

• housing companies and residents are given advice and guidance on repairs in line with sustainable development principles
• the association also helps with applying for renovation grants
• clean-up and environmental workdays, tree planting, and birdhouse projects are organised in the area

Rovaniemi

• sustainability is made visible in guided tours by explaining the impacts of climate change in the Arctic, in Scandinavia, and elsewhere in the world

Seinäjoki Aalto Centre

• the entire Aalto Centre has been renovated in a long-term process from 2012 to 2025
• the renovations have also addressed shortcomings identified in the original construction

Sunila Kantola

• architecture, design, and their values are preserved through building maintenance, restoration, and furniture conservation
• cooperation is carried out with local entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and communities

Säynätsalo Town Hall

• visitors are guided towards responsible choices, for example in relation to public transport, local products, and saving water and energy
• cooperation is carried out with local residents and partners by offering work, traineeships, and presentations for associations

Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti

• procurement takes environmental friendliness, locality, and product life-cycle thinking into account
• equality in recruitment, as well as staff legal protection and training, are part of the sustainability approach

Villa Skeppet

• the building is restored sustainably and with respect for its history
• renewable energy is used at the destination
• equality is promoted by treating visitors and staff equally and by organising free visits

Visit Varkaus

• tourism operators in the region are guided to develop sustainability in their own operations and products
• training related to the Sustainable Travel Finland label has been organised for regional operators

Towards even stronger sustainability work

On the Alvar Aalto Route, sustainability is also developed together across the entire network. The work focuses on sustainability communication, sharing good practices, and developing low-carbon travel chains and accessibility.

On the Alvar Aalto Route, sustainability means continuous learning, collaboration, and practical action. The aim is to protect a unique architectural and design heritage and to build tourism that strengthens the vitality of places and respects their spirit.

Download the guide to responsible travel on the Alvar Aalto Route (ENG).

Alvar Aalto Route’s guide to responsible travel was produced as part of the Strength from Sustainability on Alvar Aalto Route project, funded by Finnish Heritage Agency.