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.
Sensemaking Through Humanitarian Data
THE GAZA STRIP CONFLICT Since October 7th, we have been witnesses to the atrocities of the humanitarian crisis and genocide in Gaza. Over 32,000 Palestinian people have been killed, and another 74,000 reportedly injured to date. About 70 per cent of those killed are reported to be women and children. The population of Gaza consists of … Read more
Tracking Cross-Border Monetary Flows to measure Geopolitical Insecurity
Creating a streamlined pipeline to visualize and extrapolate financial data enabling a correlation with spatial geo-specific information. The World and all countries alike have been increasingly more susceptible to events and developments in the geo-political theatre. It is not surprising that the world’s top two economic and military superpowers play a pivotal role in this … Read more
Theories of the Urban_II
Questioning the rhetoric. The brief In the epoch of the Anthropocene, characterized by humanity’s profound impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems, the discourse surrounding resilience to climate change has become increasingly prominent. As societies grapple with the consequences of human-induced environmental transformations, there is a growing recognition of the need to question and analyze … Read more
Nth Dimensional Chess
Introduction The objective of this Data Science project is to investigate the possible evolution that the value of a chess piece may experience when they’re allowed to move on a board of higher dimensions. The project will analyse the movement of the chess pieces beyond the 2d plane and onto the 3d cube, 4d hypercube … Read more
Theories of the Urban (II)
Critical urban theory This research explored the dynamic relationship between urban landscapes, architectural design, and technological evolution, particularly within the context of the Anthropocene epoch and rapid technological progress. Drawing from a diverse array of urban theory frameworks, the study sought to unravel the complex interconnections shaping contemporary cities. Employing advanced Artificial Intelligence techniques, a … Read more
Ideals Along Lines of Conflict
The killing of Nahel Merzouk was not an accident. The 17-year-old French Algerian boy was killed where the potential for conflict is high, in Nanterre. A young Muslim in a yellow Mercedes along the western Champs-Élysées unfortunately made Nahel a prime candidate for police violence resulting in death. His death brought about a week of … Read more
Reimagining the Barcelona Tourist Experience
In this project I tackled the challenge of reimagining the way tourists navigate through Barcelona’s bustling streets, particularly the crowded paths that define their city experience. Starting with a pedestrian simulation tool, I was able to map out the most commonly walked tourist routes (from Casa Punxes to Casa Batllo). This allowed me to then … Read more
THEORIES OF THE URBAN II
Decoding complex theoretical texts using AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Midjourney. These tools help tackle dense material by breaking it down into easily digestible points. With the ability to condense large chunks of text into concise, manageable paragraphs, supplemented by key definitions drawn directly from the text itself. Through the utilization of carefully selected … Read more
Confronting Forms of Erasure
History is not always written in neat paragraphs and grand monuments. Sometimes, the most important stories are the ones left untold. The ones silenced, forgotten, or deliberately erased. In 1994, over a period of 100 days, the Rwandan genocide took place. Hutu extremists; fueled by ethnic hatred and political manipulation, sought to eradicate the Tutsi … Read more
The Climate Paradox
COP is a climate conference that aims to cut emissions but paradoxically boost carbon footprints due to increased transport and attendance. This situation offers host cities a chance to engage in greenwashing, presenting a façade of environmental responsibility. This underscores the intricate challenges involved in realizing true sustainability during major events, highlighting the need for … Read more
Rethinking Urban Life
Islandisation a strategy, that seeks disengagement from interconnected networks. With contextual roots in historical urbanization, islandisation signifies a new era of Anthropocene coastal adaptation, divergent from traditional resilience strategies. It serves as a protective shield, selectively severing detrimental ties while upholding others. Resilience is a concept mobilized in urban studies,shaped by sociopolitical forces, and harnessed … Read more
Darien: Closing the data Gap
Imagine a massive highway stretching from Alaska all the way down to the tip of Argentina. That’s almost possible through the Pan-American Highway, except for one crucial interruption: the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap is a sprawling, dense jungle separating Panama and Colombia, an obstacle that breaks the otherwise continuous highway. But the Gap isn’t … Read more
Flows and Barriers
Understanding the way pedestrians move through space is a task of heavy importance in the design and analysis of public space. It is fundamental to understand the motivations and utilities that influence the way pedestrians move through space. In cities such as Bogota, Colombia, heavy car-centered infrastructure has fragmented the city into clusters that limit … Read more
Hyperenergetic Viladecans
By 2100, the global temperature is forecasted to increase from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius due the effects of Greenhouse Gases Emissions and Human Activities. The City of Viladecans has developed a Vision by 2030 which expects the city to become EMISSIONS NEUTRAL, and EMISSIONS NEGATIVE by 2050. For approaching this goal, HYPENERGETIC VILADECANS establishes … Read more
Theories of the Urban (II)
Drawing on various urban theory perspectives, this study delved into the intricate interplay among cities, design, and technology, particularly during the Anthropocene era and amidst technological advancements. A specialized vocabulary was extract from various readings and visually represented through Artificial Intelligence support, aiming to provoke thought in the observer. Several cityscapes were artistically modified, integrating … Read more
DONUTS x POLICEMEN: A LOVE STORY
Why do cops love donuts? It’s not just a stereotype; it’s a doughlicious partnership! Late-night stakeouts meet sugary delights – the real crime is resisting those sprinkles! ????? METHODOLOGY Overlapping data and creating buffers to identify other layers of information to inform the system back again trying to prove the stereotype of media trope of … Read more
The Secrets of the Blue Zones
Introduction The Netflix documentary “Live to 100: The Secrets of the Blue Zones” explores regions known for their high numbers of centenarians, focusing on lifestyle, diet, and culture over geographical aspects. Highlighting commonalities such as strong community ties, plant-based diets, and active living, it aims to inspire healthier lifestyle choices. Although it emphasizes the principles … Read more
Rethinking the Mekedatu Dam Project
The Cauvery basin is not just a river; it’s an intricate ecosystem that supports diverse flora and fauna and sustains the livelihoods of farmers in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Our hypothesis posits that the proposed Mekedatu dam, far from being a panacea, is an unnecessary venture that could further destabilize this delicate balance. The … Read more
City in Motion: Analyzing People Movement with Agent-Based Modeling
In the realm of urban design, understanding movement behaviors is paramount for creating efficient and people-centric city layouts. In this individual project, I delve into the intricacies of movement behaviors using computational tools and techniques, including agent-based modeling. By incorporating the loop evaluate field amplitude tool and employing vector display, scalar fields, heat maps, and … Read more
Visualizing Geo-Political Power dynamics through Spatial & Statistical Data
The Question: How far does the recent decline of US FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) into China, play a role in China getting more insecure and expanding its global reach of power. The World and all countries alike have been increasingly more susceptible to events and developments in the geo-political theatre. It is not surprising that … Read more
