Image from Motopia. A Study in the Evolution of Urban Landscape
This course delves into the dynamic and evolving landscape of urban mobility through the lens of retro-futurism. By examining the historical context, current trends, and future possibilities, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how cities are shaped by planners, users, and technology. The course will address the central question: Who shapes the cities – the planner, the user, or the technology?
The use of data and digital technologies allows cities to make informed decisions about urban planning and mobility. By analyzing traffic patterns, public transportation usage, and other data points, cities can optimize routes, reduce congestion, and improve public transit systems. By prioritize the needs and preferences of residents. By involving citizens in the planning process and using technology to gather feedback, cities can create more livable and user-friendly environments.
The programme is a collaborative endeavor where students work in groups to explore, understand, and shape solutions that can work to reduce the prioritization of the car in a real-world context. Students will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between user-behavior, transport choice, land-use planning, transport pricing, urban planning, technology, and vehicle types to understand the potential for shaping the future city.
Project teams will decide how they wish to work with the problem space. It will be possible to work at a scale that makes sense for the project proposal. It is hoped that the range of expertise and backgrounds will present novel approaches to how cities can develop strategies for sustainable personal mobility. Teams will work across a series of project stages to gain insight into how built environment projects manifest in professional practice.
At course completion the student will:
– Understand the skills required as a transport consultant/ planner
– Understand the typical project arc for built environment projects
– Understand importance of mobility as a contribution to architectural and urban design
– Be able to think of mobility at a range of scales from the regional network to street scale design
– Understand the implication of induced demand and the impact of cars in contemporary cities
– Be able to identify areas related to city management and city planning where transport strategies can support the shift from a car-centric development
– Design a real-situation project at proof-of-concept level, where a radical alternative to car-centric planning and design is proposed to support the shift to sustainable mobility
Developed as part of a Workshop hosted by IAAC and conducted by Buro Happold representatives, the project envisions the transformation of Barcelona’s Zona Franca waterfront into a mobility-driven, mixed-use district that balances industry, nature, and urban life. The master plan prioritizes seamless connectivity, enhancing public transport, pedestrian networks, and micromobility infrastructure to overcome the area’s … Read more
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia and city of 8 million residents, is investing heavily in upgrading its mobility network. Tasked with designing an intervention in a 2km by 2km block in the northwest part of the city, our team began by evaluating the existing mobility network. We found that public transit in Riyadh is … Read more
Perched at the top of Montjuïc hill, in the heart of the Sants-Montjuïc district, stands the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, a place where history, sport, and culture come together. From hosting the unforgettable 1992 Olympic Games to becoming a stage for world-class events, this stadium has witnessed some of the greatest moments in Barcelona’s history. … Read more
Enhancing walkability and mobility in Riyadh Riyadh is at a pivotal moment in its urban evolution. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, its reliance on cars has resulted in congestion, pollution, and a lack of safe, accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Our masterplan aims to transform the city’s mobility landscape by … Read more
