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.
This blog post reflects the lectures and exercises given by Professor Mariano Gomez-Luque, supported by readings from Katherine Hayles, Neil Brenner, David Harvey, and Benjamin Bratton. These texts provided a foundation for discussions on human cognition, social structures, ecological dynamics, and planetary computation. The lecture commenced with Katherine Hayles’ exploration of evolving reading practices, contrasting … Read more
“Planetary-scale computation is an example of what may be called, after the great Polish novelist Stanislaw Lem, an ‘epistemological technology.’ The most important social impact of some technologies is not just in what theyallow people to do, but in what they reveal about how the world works.” (Bratton, 3). We are currently experiencing a significant … Read more
“capitalism as a mode of production has necessarily targeted the breaking down of spatial barriers and the acceleration of turnover time as fundamental to its agenda of relentless capital accumulation” (David Harvey.) 01. The Evolution of Urban Reading Urbanization, much like the transition from print to digital media, reflects evolving modes of engagement. The shift … Read more
Quotation ” The urban in the 21st century is no longerconfined by traditional boundaries; itis a dynamic space shaped by digitaltechnologies, capitalism, and planetaryurbanization. Understanding thisevolving landscape requires embracingcomplexity, rethinking governance, andprioritizing justice and sustainability tonavigate the challenges of a globalizedworld. “ The nature of the urban is being redefined in the 21stcentury, shaped by … Read more
SUMMARY 01. An Adapted Urbanism02. Extended Cognitions03. Excavating Futures04. In Defense of the Local “The places whose stories I am trying to tell cannot be understood as geographiesof urbanization. Nor can the politics of space present in these locations be readas urban in the ways in which critical urban theory would lead us to believe.”(Ananya … Read more
01 Reading as Urban InsightIn a rapidly urbanizing world, the ability to read critically across diverse mediums—both digital and print—serves as an indispensable tool for interpreting the complexities of urban theory. Techniques like HYPERREADING, which facilitates navigation through vast digital information, and CLOSE READING, which emphasizes deep textual analysis, are crucial for decoding the nuanced … Read more
“The artificial refers not to the fake, but to what is deliberately created, designed with purpose, and capable of reshaping both human and planetary futures.” Benjamin Bratton In recent years, the notion of artificiality has evolved from being seen as an imitation of the natural, to an integral part of planetary and urban systems. Benjamin … Read more
“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
Abstract Flows 4 Santa Coloma is a project in the city of Santa Coloma, taking into consideration the Pla Pinta Verde proposed by the municipality of Santa Coloma. The project aims are aligned with the aims of the Pla Pinta Verde of connecting the existing green spaces to bridge the gap created because of the … Read more
Care Hub is a vibrant, community care-focused green space located in La Placeta de l’Avi Porta. This Hub combines nature, play, culture, and community activities into a unique urban oasis designed to bring people together and celebrate biodiversity, at the same time we promote the concept of a space of care through design. La Plaçeta … 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
Located in the heart of Barcelona, where the history of the city began, the Gòtic Quarter is an iconic neighborhood, we sought to understand its complex dynamics and whether its economic model could truly be called sustainable. From Roman foundations to bustling contemporary streets, the Gòtic Quarter embodies a story of transformation. But behind its … Read more
The aim of this workshop was to propose an interview in one of the many farms in Parc Agrari complex. It is understood by local municipality and consortium of the park that the whole Parc Agrari has been suffering pressure from the real state market, in order to give the land up for the construction … Read more
Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat (PABLL) is an agricultural park situated within the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain, spanning approximately 3,500 hectares. Around 65% of the area is dedicated to agriculture, while 25% is preserved as natural space. This diverse environment supports a wide range of human stakeholders, including farmers, producers, consumers, and local residents, … Read more
La Dreta de l’Eixample, a vibrant neighborhood in Barcelona, begins at the renowned Plaça de Catalunya. This area is famous for its luxurious Passeig de Gràcia, lined with high-end boutiques and modernist architecture. The neighborhood not only showcases the grandeur of the Catalan textile bourgeoisie from the early 20th century but also stands out for … 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
