PhD Vesa Yli-Pelkonen

vesa.yli-pelkonen(at)helsinki.fi work tel. +358 (0)9 191 57907, +358 (0)50 318 5068 (mobile) Department of Environmental Sciences P.O. Box 65 (Viikki Environment House, Viikinkaari 2a, 2nd floor) FI-00014, University of Helsinki FINLAND

My research | Teaching | Publications

In my PhD research I studied ecological-social systems linkages, use of ecological information and local ecological knowledge, and the role of stream ecosystems in urban land-use planning in Finland. I defended my PhD thesis entitled ‘Use of Ecological Information in Urban Planning’ in December 2006.

Currently I am working in research projects entitled "Well-being in urban environments: the use of ecosystem services as a tool towards sustainable urban planning" (Urban Research and Metropolitan Policy Cooperation Programme 2011-2012) and "Enhancing Sustainable Urban Development through Ecosystem Services - ENSURE (Helsinki University Centre for Environment 2011-2014).

Teaching

I occasionally give lectures in urban ecology related courses and seminar series at the University of Helsinki and at other universities. I am also coordinating a yearly Helsinki Summer School course ‘Ecology and Management of Urban Green Space’.

Miscellaneous

My leisure time activities include all kinds of sports, hiking and enjoying good music.

Selected publications (updated 24 January 2012)

Söderman T, Yli-Pelkonen V, Kopperoinen L, Saarela S-R , Väre S, Shemeikka P, Oinonen K, Eerola K, Valli R, Wahlgren I, Parviainen S & Niemelä J (2011) Ekologiset kriteerit ja mittarit. In: Söderman T & Saarela S-R (eds.) Kestävät kaupunkiseudut – Kriteereitä ja mittareita suunnittelun työvälineiksi, pp. 39-95. Suomen ympäristö 25/2011 [in Finnish, with an abstract in English and Swedish].

Niemelä J, Saarela S-R, Söderman T, Kopperoinen L, Yli-Pelkonen V, Väre S & Kotze DJ (2010) Using the ecosystem services approach for better planning and conservation of urban green spaces: a Finland case study. Biodiversity and Conservation 19(11): 3225-3243.

Niemelä J, Saarela S-R, Söderman T, Kopperoinen L, Yli-Pelkonen V & Väre S (2010) Kaupunkiluonnon ekosysteemipalvelut. In: Hiedanpää J, Naskali A & Suvantola L (eds.) Hyödyllinen luonto - Ekosysteemipalvelut hyvinvointimme perustana, pp. 203-223. Osuuskunta Vastapaino, Tampere [in Finnish].

Yli-Pelkonen V (2008) Ecological information in the political decisionmaking of urban land-use planning. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 51: 345-362.

Tzoulas K, Korpela K, Venn S, Yli-Pelkonen V, Kaźmierczak A, Niemelä J & James P (2007) Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review. Landscape and Urban Planning 81: 167-178.

Yli-Pelkonen V & Kohl J (2005) The role of local ecological knowledge in sustainable urban planning: perspectives from Finland. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy 1: 3-14.

Yli-Pelkonen V & Niemelä J (2005) Linking ecological and social systems in cities: urban planning in Finland as a case. Biodiversity and Conservation 14: 1947-1967.

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