IAAC’s Master in City & Technology (1 or 2-year program) is a unique program oriented towards redefining the analysis, planning, and design of twenty-first-century cities and beyond. The program offers expertise in the design of digitally enhanced, ecological and human-centered urban environments by intersecting the disciplines of urbanism and data science. Taking place in Barcelona, the capital of urbanism, the Master in City & Technology is training the professionals that city administrations, governments, industries, and communities need, to transform the urban environment in the era of big data.
Circular Economy Integration The integration of circular economies into local frameworks can revolutionize sustainability in urban development. This approach not only redefines waste management but also fosters economic resilience by promoting the reuse and recycling of resources. By implementing a circular economy, cities can create environmentally sustainable structures that extend the lifecycle of products and … Read more
The learning process presented in the table demonstrates a profound reflection on emerging economies and their impact on the future, structured across six thematic sessions: circular economies, massive collaboration, natural economies, social regeneration, impact entrepreneurship, and the future of work. Each session allowed participants to explore their prior knowledge, set learning objectives, reflect on new … Read more
Over the course of 6 weeks we had the opportunity to be introduced to emerging economies, a concept that from my initial perspective was outside of urban design, but as the classes progressed, I realized its relevance to urban planning and to the current world in general. CIRCULAR ECONOMIES AND VALUE FLOWS The circular economy … Read more
The Emerging Economies course explored diverse themes surrounding sustainable development, ecological futures, social innovation, and economic transitions. Each session was anchored by critical lectures that combined theoretical understanding with practical insights, culminating in collective knowledge applicable to real-world challenges. This essay reflects the key lessons derived from the lectures, organized into themes. 1. Circular Economies … Read more
The seminar has been divided into a series of workshops on:– Circular Economies and Value Flows– Distributed Economies and Massive Collaboration– Ecological Interactions and the Economies of Nature– Regenerative Economies and Social Sustainability– Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Economies– Emerging Economies and the Future of Work
New economic models offer opportunities to create just, sustainable, and vibrant systems in the face of climate crises, social inequality, and profit-seeking cultures. Over the course of the Emerging Economies series, various experts shared novel frameworks for exchanging goods and knowledge, how these can and have been implemented, and their impacts. Marion Real spoke with … Read more
Circular Economies and Value Flows with Marion Real I entered the session with a foundational understanding of resource loops, local production, and sustainable consumption. My goal was to discover circular models for urban infrastructure, particularly exploring how waste management, water, and energy systems could be redesigned. The key takeaway from the session was the importance … Read more
Introduction: Emerging Economies at the Vanguard of Change As we navigate a world in flux, emerging economies stand poised to rewrite the rules of global progress. From technological leaps to reshaping the nature of work, these economies embody resilience and innovation. But they’re not just about catching up—they’re charting entirely new paths. This exploration takes … Read more
The Seminar opened new perspectives on several fields of Emerging Economies. The topics at stake ranged from circular economic models to ways to include ecosystem thinking into economic ventures. My key learning center around the possibility to think economies in terms of different network structures, the inclusion of the common approach into design and planning … Read more
The course on Emerging Economies explores transformative approaches to fostering sustainability, equity, and resilience in economic systems, focusing on circular, distributed, regenerative, and inclusive principles. Inspired by different economical frameworks and interdisciplinary design philosophies, the course examines how innovative thinking can create a thriving balance between ecological integrity and human prosperity. Towards Regenerative and Interconnected … Read more
The Future of Work and Emerging Economies: How Design Can Shape Resilient Labor MarketsIn a world where emerging economies are increasingly intertwined with technological advancements, the future of work is rapidly evolving. The intersection of automation, digital platforms, and shifting economic paradigms presents both immense challenges and exciting opportunities. As an architect and student at … Read more
Parking is an important element of urban infrastructure, influencing the functionality, accessibility, and sustainability of cities. In Barcelona, where neighborhoods vary widely in character, density, and urban design, parking serves as a lens through which we can better understand the city’s transportation dynamics and spatial planning. This research began with an exploration of key questions … Read more
The exploratory analysis performed by Josefina Ovalle, Maja Mawusi and Michał Modelski We present you an exploratory analysis on the New York City’s Citi Bike network in New Jersey. We chose the latest dataset, from October 2024, that gives us data on bike stations, bike types, bike users, and bike usage over time. The choice … Read more
ABSTRACT Derived from the 2020 pandemic sanitary measures for Covid-19, Google created the Community Mobility Reports, which provide valuable insights of how people’s mobility changed as a result of the established health policies. The objective of this analysis was to understand how United States residents’ mobility behavior changed over time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. … Read more
The Backbone of Modernity – Since its invention in 1842, Portland cement has become a cornerstone of modern construction. Its role in shaping cities, infrastructure, and economies is unparalleled, but this comes at a cost. Cement production is energy-intensive, emits significant carbon dioxide, and has become a key driver of global greenhouse gas emissions Cement … Read more
As an introduction to Python, this course explored the foundations of data analysis and visualization using a variety of powerful libraries, including pandas, geopandas, contextily, matplotlib, numpy, seaborn, and plotly. The project below demonstrates the practical application of these tools. Inspired by the recent U.S. election, we focused on analyzing voter behavior and the factors … Read more
‘The project envisions the use of novel data collection strategies for the purpose of increasing access to formal credit for MSMEs in the F&B Space. Across the globe, cities face a pivotal challenge: unlocking the potential of their micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to drive both urban transformation and national economic growth. These enterprises, … 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. HUMAN Research and analysis The research highlighted several … Read more
This project envisions a transformative rewilding of the Besòs River in Santa Coloma, integrating human and ecological systems through dynamic, data-driven design. By strategically restoring habitat continuity with green corridors and innovative avian nesting prototypes, it fosters a symbiotic relationship between urban life and nature. Leveraging 3D clay-printed nests inspired by natural forms and utilizing … Read more
This project is an experiment of connecting Plaça d’Albert Francàs with flora and fauna, giving a prospective of designing for more than humans. This design exercise was built upon the previous workshop “Co-creating Public Spaces”. For more information about the previous proposal, please visit the blog post. In our co-creation project, Spaces of Negotiation, we … Read more
Following up on the project from the seminar “Co-creating Public Space”, where we explored the human layer through participatory processes in urban design, we have now ventured into adding a more-than-human layer. This approach challenges us to step out of conventional design thinking and consider perspectives invisible to anthropocentric eyes, enabling us to create a … Read more
