Data, processes, public space and urban design. UCM Master’s Degree in Smart Cities (Madrid, 21 January 2025)
On 21 January I was invited to give a lecture at the Master in Smart Cities and Sustainability of the Complutense University (UCM) on how data and processes can help to design a public space that improves both the urban experience and the climate footprint of cities as a whole. The urban problem Before the …...
Colin Ellard. Psychogeography. Places Of The Heart
I bought Colin Ellard’s ‘Psychogeography . Places Of The Heart’ in Cálamo, my favourite bookshop in Zaragoza. For those unfamiliar with the term, let’s clarify that psychogeography is concerned with understanding how our surroundings influence us, and its importance for the discipline of urban design increases...
Startups, Sustainability and Unprecedented European Innovation
Local governments and sustainability professionals in Europe face interconnected environmental, social and economic issues, alongside the growing threat of climate disasters. These challenges require cities to look beyond standalone initiatives and develop innovative, holistic solutions that transcend traditional silos of municipal...
Jane Jacobs hypothetical interview on the 15-minute city.
If Jane Jacobs was alive today and actively engaging with the smart city community, her sharp critique of urban planning trends would likely provide a fresh and insightful perspective on today’s transportation challenges and opportunities. Here’s how she might address some of the major issues in a hypothetical interview: Car...
Smart Moves: Montpellier’s Strategy for Sustainable Urban Transport
Montpellier, one of France’s fastest-growing cities and host of one of Europe’s largest pedestrian areas, is setting the standard for urban mobility solutions. In response to rising public transit demand and the urgent need to reduce emissions and traffic congestion, Montpellier launched ambitious initiatives in the field of...
Daniel Susskind. A World Without Work
From a refreshing trip to Scotland this summer I brought back, among other things, a visit to two great bookshops: the indescribable Leakey in the northern city of Inverness and the Topping & Company bookshop in Edinburgh. Consequence: a good handful of books in the suitcase as a pastime and intellectual fuel with which to …...
Why smart cities need pre-disaster recovery plans
In 2023, the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century devastated Lahaina, a small town on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It started when a grass fire was ignited after high winds snapped a power line. Although the initial fire was reported as “contained” by firefighters, the flames soon re-emerged. Within …...
After the Storm: A Winding Road to Disaster Recovery
Considering the frequency of disasters and the scale of human suffering and economic loss, the urgency of effective disaster recovery becomes apparent. The world witnessed, on average, a disaster a day in 2023, causing more than 86,000 fatalities and $203 billion in damages while disrupting the lives of 93 million people, according to...
Rethinking Urban Logistics in the On-Demand Economy
Rethinking urban logistics is a core part of any smart city strategy. Wander through a European city on a warm evening, and you’ll likely encounter some pedestrian-friendly streets perfect for leisurely strolls. However, return the next morning, and the scene is transformed. The less walkable streets are crowded with delivery vans...
Spatial entropy to design the 15 minute city
The concept of Spatial Entropy casts some light into the relationship between urban design and thermodinamycs, something that has been intriguing me for some time. Basically, what I realized was that cities, as any other set of matter in our Universe, should obbey the 2nd Law of Thermodinamics. I had a thread there I could …...
