The Master in City & Technology’s academic structure is based on IAAC’s innovative, learn-by-doing and design-through-research methodology which focuses on the development of interdisciplinary skills. During the Master in City & Technology students will have the opportunity to be part of a highly international group, including faculty members, researchers, and lecturers, in which they are encouraged to develop collective decision-making processes and materialize their project ideas.
“Language has been a bodily process; it now extends beyond the human, forming a porous boundary in the human-machine nexus.” (Class 2: How We Read) In the age of planetary urbanization and artificial intelligence, the HUMAN-MACHINE NEXUS emerges as a critical site of inquiry. The interconnection between human cognition, technological augmentation, and urban processes compels … Read more
Reading… involves interpreting the meaning of symbols, whether in the form of text, poetry, or even urban landscapes. Katherine Hayles’ exploration of combining human and non-human reading techniques offers new insights for understanding urban environments – emphasizing how cognitive shifts enable us to navigate the complexities of modern cities and urbanization. … Planetary … The … Read more
Abstract: This essay explores the intertwined transformations of digital literacy, urbanization, and intelligence in contemporary society. It examines how technological advancements, critical urban theory, and the concept of “planetary sapience” are shapinga complex reality demanding holistic and inclusive approaches into a sustainable planetary system. Contemporary society is undergoing profound transformations driven by the interplay of … Read more
Introduction The seminar “Theories of the Urban” invited participants to rethink urbanization in the context of evolving societal, technological, and ecological challenges. It emphasized critical reflection on how AI, capitalism, and interdisciplinary approaches shape urban landscapes. Through micro-essays, it explored pressing questions about urban theory, technological integration, and the role of critical thinking in academic … Read more
“The field of urban studies has been animated by an extraordinary outpouring of new ideas regarding the role of cities, urbanism, and urbanisation processes in ongoing global transformations.” (Brenner & Schmid, ‘Planetary Urbanisation’) 01. Hyperreading the Urban Over the course of four intensive classes and making use of a digital HYPERREADING methodology, we were introduced … Read more
This project focuses on establishing a community-centered public space in Santa Coloma. Situated at Block Illa de Raval, a designated “green finger” of the Pinta Verde initiative, the project seeks to improve accessibility, enhance social engagement, and address infrastructural needs based on local context and community input. At the project start, several assumptions guided the … Read more
Santa Coloma de Gramenet, informally simply known as Santa Coloma, and formerly as Gramenet de Besòs between 1936 and 1939, is a municipality in Barcelonès county, in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the south-east side of the coastal range, with the Puig Castellar as its highest point, on the left bank of the Besòs … Read more
Our research on the El Raval neighborhood explored the tensions and opportunities between residents and tourists, two populations who travel from all over the world to be in El Raval. While tourists and residents can have conflicting priorities and demands of their environment, the two are also dependent on each other and we came upon … Read more
As part of the Master in City & Technology Introductory Workshop, our team was tasked with studying La Barceloneta, a district characterized by its complex layers of social, economic, architectural, and administrative systems. This project aims to explore these dimensions, highlighting the interactions between tourism and the local community in one of Barcelona’s most iconic … Read more
The urban transformation of the Poblenou neighborhood has reached a critical juncture, where the local and global spheres coexist in a contested struggle over territory. The revitalization of old industrial buildings into a technological and creative hub has spurred significant economic growth, attracting a wave of companies, start-ups, investors, and, more recently, digital nomads, displacing … Read more
Exploring the vibrant neighborhood of Sant Antoni, a lively corner of Barcelona’s Eixample district, we set out to uncover its rich history, pinpoint its challenges, and evaluate relevant data. Our journey began with online research, laying the groundwork for our field observations. Once we arrived on-site, we captured the essence of the area through photographs, … Read more
Fields at Play identifies the value of gender inequality in Olympic infrastructure and proposes to leverage the derived $12.6B Olympic gender gap in sports facilities to fund the revitalization and ongoing program of reliable, safe, and comfortable spaces for women at risk of gender-based violence. Understanding the purpose and outcomes of Olympic infrastructure strategies in … Read more
“WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDS: GENDER & BANGKOK? “ 1. BANGKOK’S SPECTRUM OF GENDER (INTRODUCTION) Historically, Thai society has grappled with rigid gender roles, which often saw Thai women facing significant challenges and being relegated to positions within the entertainment and sex industries. However, as Thai society … Read more
This project examines gender dynamics in Lagos’ public spaces, particularly within markets. It investigates the historical and contemporary influence of market women, particularly through the Iyaloja’s role. Through analysis of market layout and structure, the project seeks to identify how these features might limit women’s agency. To address these limitations, the project seeks collaborative strategies … Read more
Introduction Medellin, known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring,’ is a Colombian city located between mountains around the Aburra River Valley. According to the National Census, it is inhabited predominantly by women, as 53.3% of the population is composed of women, and a large portion of them perform in areas such as education, healthcare and … Read more
Introducing a methodology for Autonomous Intervention at the neighborhood level Identifying a problem; In the Eixample district of Barcelona, the daily scene often includes numerous small vans and trucks loading and unloading goods on the streets. This common activity significantly impacts the city by contributing to increased traffic congestion and higher levels of pollution. The … Read more
