Poly-Exploration with Digital Cultures

The course of Digital Cultures, tutored by Andres Colmenares, took an investigative approach on the relations between the present and the future through the lens of art, journalism, urbanism, technology, human networks and global market. Course was structured in a “non-linear” way, what makes our tutor’s pride, yet consistent in terms of narrating through scale … Read more

Innovative Urban Planning in Singapore: The Urban Playground Project

In the rapidly urbanizing landscape of Singapore, the demand for innovative urban planning solutions is paramount to accommodating the growing population while preserving the city-state’s unique cultural and environmental heritage. This project proposes an exploration of a playful design methodology to devise novel urban block typologies tailored to Singapore’s specific needs and constraints. This research … Read more

From Survival to Spectacle: Grassroots Urbanism or Systemic Neglect

“Urban organic growth as a symptom of capitalist contradictions, examining alienation, inequality, and deindustrialization. It explores the uneven valorization of grassroots urbanism and the systemic forces shaping unplanned urban development.” URBAN ORGANIC GROWTH reflects the contradictions of capitalist urbanization, where unplanned development arises// as both a necessity and a response to ALIENATION, SYSTEMATIC INEQUALITY and … Read more

Understanding Planetary Urbanization and Capitalism

“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

Shaping the Urban: Technology, Capitalism, and the Dynamics of Change

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

Miralls del demà | Mirrors of tomorrow – LLUM 2025

Llum BCN is a leading lighting arts festival in Europe and a cultural event highly appreciated by the citizens of Barcelona. Organised by Barcelona City Council, Llum BCN brings together interventions by creators from all areas of the visual arts, including contemporary art, design, architecture, technology and lighting design. During the three-day festival, the Poblenou neighborhood … Read more

Climate Sensitive Facade Intervention for Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Research Questions: Can climate sensitive facade interventions reduce the intensity of the Urban Heat Island effect within urban blocks in arid climates?“ Research Goal: The goal is to propose simplified, climate-sensitive facade interventions in highly urbanized cities that reduce energy loads by mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects, while complying with climate-resilient regulations. These interventions … Read more

The Gòtic Quarter: A Sustainable Economic Model or Not?

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

Changing Landscapes

ReCitying is a Workshop hosted by IAAC and Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat to explore sustainable design and creative recycling in rural spaces. The first phase of the Workshop, in October 2024, focused on developing proposals for an installation using waste from Parc Agrari and planting crops to integrate into the project. We explored initial … Read more

Exploring La Dreta de l’Eixample: A Neighborhood of Contrasts in Barcelona

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

Intro: El Raval

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

La Barceloneta: A District in Transition

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

Urban Insights: Leveraging Open Data for Smart Property Rate Predictions

1.0 Concept In the evolving landscape of urban development, property rates are influenced by numerous factors, including geographical, socio-economic, and infrastructural elements. Our project, “Urban Insights: Leveraging Open Data for Smart Property Rate Predictions,” aims to create an intelligent, data-driven model to forecast property rates. This model utilizes features such as wards, property types, and … Read more

SafeNet: Network-Driven Machine Learning for Urban Safety

Abstract This study examines the pressing problem of violence against women in Mexico City, focusing specifically on strategies to prevent the escalation of violence that can lead to femicides. The persistence of gender-based violence in the city is aggravated by socioeconomic disparities, inadequate urban planning, and a deficiency of safe public spaces. The notable increase … Read more