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.

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CLEAN UP THE NOISY CITY!

Through this workshop, we developed “Clean up the Noisy City,” an educational and interactive game designed to raise children’s awareness of urban soundscapes. In this engaging experience, players take on the role of city problem-solvers, working together to identify, assess, and mitigate disruptive noises using creative solutions. The game is played through a structured yet … Read more

Sant Antoni Passport

Urban spaces are not just places to live and work—they are playgrounds for social interaction, historical storytelling, and cultural engagement. As part of the IAAC’s Serious Games Seminar, our team explored Sant Antoni, Barcelona, to design playful interventions that connect the community to its past, present, and future. Our approach combined game design with urban … Read more

consans

This term, we have been focusing on understanding and designing public spaces in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona. Sants has a unique identity shaped by its long-standing tradition of neighborhood cooperation and pride in its working-class roots, but has faced civic disengagement in recent years. In the studio, our objective has been to leverage public … Read more

Quaker

In the field of urban planning, engaging citizens and stakeholders in the increasingly complex social and environmental issues of the built environment is one of the major challenges. As a way of looking to attract, persuade, and foster empathy, Quaker can be a potent tool in connecting the community of Poblenou with our project and … Read more

Heat Archipelagos

Rising heat is an increasingly critical global condition driven by climate change, urbanization, and deforestation. Average global temperatures have climbed due to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves that threaten ecosystems, economies, and public health. Urban areas, in particular, experience exacerbated effects due to the urban heat island phenomenon, where concrete, … Read more

TIME³

Multidimensionality of Time for Inclusive Urban Lives This project explores urban inclusivity through the multidimensional lens of time, using Barcelona as a case study. The analysis considers three temporal dimensions: time of day, time of year, and time of life, recognizing how these factors shape access to essential urban amenities. Proximity serves as the first … Read more

Urban Sprawl: Embodied

Sprawl is broadly defined as “dispersed low-density urban development applying to the physical pattern of low-density expansion of large urban areas, under market conditions, mainly into the surrounding agricultural areas” (European Environment Agency, “Urban sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge” EEA Report, Vol. 10, 2006). Further, it is described as “an excessive use of the open … Read more

Emerging Economies ideas

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

Reflection on Emerging Economies

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

Introduction to Emerging Economies

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

Emerging Economies: Sustainable futures

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

Emerging Economies

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

Rethinking value flows

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

Emerging Economies – Learning Canvas Outcomes

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

Rethinking Economies: Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Future

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

Emerging Economies

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

Emerging Economies: Rethinking alternative economic models in a capitalized world

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

Designing the Future: How Emerging Economies and Innovative Models Can Shape Resilient Labor Markets

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

How to park in Barcelona?

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