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.


Tourism and social development, Balearic Island

INTRODUCTION The heavy working hours after the industrial revolution had put leisure to a more and more important role in contemporary life. People want to travel to ‘escape’ and compensate themselves from work and daily life. The practice of leveraging tourism for economy growth has been proved useful in Spain since the 1960s. And this … Read more

The Arteries of Lombardy

Introduction In the past centuries, Milan used to be perceived as a water-city, with an economy propelled by canals that extended throughout it. However, as the city evolved, those waterways were gradually buried beneath roads, and the aquatic arteries that once defined Milan are now relegated to the periphery of the urban fabric. This covering … Read more

Coltura

Introduction Milan, Northern Italy’s epicenter, confronts economic and environmental challenges rooted in a shift from agriculture to manufacturing. To secure its future, Milan invests in knowledge, tourism, and place-based innovation, relying on revenue from high-income foreigners, students, and the European Union. Strategic efforts to transition to a green economy focus on renewable energy, waste reduction, … Read more

From Pollution To Pollination

1. Introduction Urban air quality is a pressing concern,  being the result of both natural elements and human-induced pollutants. The city of Barcelona grapples with local pollutants like NOx and PM10, primarily  caused by ground transport and industrial activities. While current policies focus on mobility solutions, the project questions the need for complementary approaches. The … Read more

Besòs reviving: Harmonizing Urban Landscapes and River Health through Nature

The Besòs River, an integral water source for Barcelona, encapsulates a narrative marked by both significance and environmental challenges. Since the 1970s, its crucial role has been overshadowed by persistent contamination, exacerbated by the rapid urban and industrial developments along its course. This study delves into the intricate correlation between Besòs River pollution, evolving land … Read more

Arbitration of the Arbitrary

Critical urbanists are empowered by theory, constrained by history, and valued by their ability and will to negotiate opportunities. The powers of theory are defined by Brenner and Roy as that of critical imagination and rejection of definition; contexualized as historically urban and increasingly planetary by Harvey, Brenner, and Schmid; and actualized by Kaika and … Read more

Coding Nature

Investigating the Impact of Open Green Spaces on Airbnb Rates with Python 1. Introduction The industry of tourism in Barcelona has seen a major hike in the past couple years. Post-covid Barcelona has also become an educational hub for students from across the globe. The increase in Inflow of people has also made platform urbanism … Read more

The CourtForge

Enlarging the great… Emanuel Ginobili is one of the most -if not the most- accomplished Argentinian basketball players. During his 16 season basketball career in the NBA, that went on from 2002 to 2018, he won 4 championships as one of the San Antonio Spurs “Big Three”, was named an All-Star twice, was selected for … Read more

An Encounter with a Passage

1. Introduction In the exploration of urban design and its impact on community well-being, “An Encounter with a Passage” delves into the heart of participatory design. This project revolves around the central question of integrating green spaces in urban settings, not just as an aesthetic feature but as a core element of community identity and … Read more

Visualizing GeoSpatial Data in Python – Going from Csv to Graph

Visualizing dataframes using Geopandas and Plotly in Python introduction Python is a versatile and easy-to-learn programming language. GeoPandas extends the data manipulation capabilities of pandas to spatial data, providing a familiar and convenient environment for working with both tabular and geographical data. GeoPandas makes it easy to load, explore, and analyze geographical data. You can … Read more

Visualizing data using Python

Using python as a digital tool to visualize and arrange datasets; trying to view household costs by accumulating various costs per week. Using the dataset and visualizing the various indices and topics of concern and further pointing out the accumulated average cost of all expenses in a household. Further visualizing the desired data as plotting … Read more

Navigating GeoPandas and the Digital Wilderness

“Start the machine” …was the first operation in mind when asked to perform a task with Python script. One of the motivations to learn Python as an urban designer is to organize geospatial data with accuracy and legibility. Before we dive into the digital wilderness, of data trees and data frames, it’s important to note … Read more

Data Visualization Using GeoPandas in Python

1.Geospatial Mapping using GeoPandas in Python In Python, GeoPandas plays a crucial role in facilitating geospatial analysis through its powerful functions. I will illustrate the concise process of leveraging GeoPandas to create maps of Barcelona. This involves a systematic application of GeoPandas’ functions for effective geospatial data synthesis and mapping. Step 1: Loading GeoDataFrame from … Read more

Slo-Mo-Go: Tourism in Slow Motion

A digital tool proposed to re-boost the economy of Ciutat Vella, Barcelona Overview Ciutat Vella being the oldest district of the city of Barcelona was founded in the 1500 BC. The Ciutat Vella district was a very important economic hub for Barcelona. But in the recent times, the district faces problems that are characterised by … Read more

Exploring the Hydrography of the Besos River

Understanding Surface Water Dynamics : Analysing Besos River Runoff, Accumulation, and Water Levels. The Besos River, flowing through Catalonia, Spain, is a significant water body supporting both ecosystems and human activities. Its hydrology plays a pivotal role in the regional environment and socioeconomic landscape. The dynamics of surface water runoff, accumulation, and water levels in … Read more

Sunlit Streets, Shaded Paths

Computational Tools for Thermally Comfortable Walks in Barcelona On one of the sunniest days in the city of Barcelona, you want to go for a walk and get some fresh air but the heat from the sun makes you uncomfortable. Can you go for the walk without the sun making you completely sick? The objective … Read more

FloodZone Analytics

Introduction Water-related disasters, such as floods and droughts, have become increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change, representing significant global challenges. Urbanization and land use changes are contributing factors, with settlements in high flood-risk areas growing. In studying Milan and the Lambro river basin in Northern Italy, we observe increasing frequencies of floods, highlighting … Read more

EndSARS in Brief: A Snapshot of the Movement

This project aimed to visually narrate the EndSars protest movement that unfolded in Nigeria from October 8th to 20th, 2020. This movement emerged as a powerful response to the acts of violence perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a specialized unit of the Nigerian Police Force established in 1992 to combat crime (Amnesty International, 2020). … Read more

Travelling Paris

Paris, often hailed as the world’s most popular tourist destination, beckons millions of visitors each year with its unparalleled blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and romance. At its heart stands the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the city’s architectural finesse and innovative spirit. The Louvre Museum, home to countless masterpieces, invites art aficionados to meander through … Read more

Mapping Airbnb data in San Francisco

Since its launch in 2007, Airbnb has revolutionized the hosting industry: By providing a simple and intuitive online platform, it connects millions of hosts and visitors worldwide. Born in The Bay, the app has changed the dynamics of the whole area, impacting sectors that extend from tourism to the housing market. Through the analysis of … Read more

Understanding the City through Data, Maps & Code

Finding the ratio of natural Green spaces to the Educational institutions in Barcelona city, Spain. TOOLS USED INTRODUCTION Barcelona, like many modern cities, has been actively working on providing open datasets to the public. Open datasets are valuable resources that foster transparency, innovation, and engagement within communities. Barcelona’s open datasets cover a wide range of topics, including urban … Read more