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Center for Sustainable Cities

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Center for Sustainable Cities

Overview

Team

Research

Outreach

Education

Cities are ecosystems, as rainforests are. They are the result of a continuous flow of production (energy, materials, people) and return (waste, services, conflicts).

The Center for Sustainable Cities aims the convergence of disciplines and knowledges associated to the city, to build the Whole City Ecosystem. In this context, it is critical to understand its behavior, in order to evaluate the real impact, in terms of sustainability, of any action or event. The Center for Sustainable Cities embraces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and seeks to further their implementation through research, education and outreach.

ABOUT US

The Center for Sustainable Cities highlights the commitment of our community to good and responsible city-making. It will do so focusing on climate change and the role of cities, in order to assess current and future risks, make choices and propose new ideas that enhance resilience. The Center will also provide a space (physical and virtual) where different agents involved in the process: government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, the community, and academia can come together in the search for collaborative answers.

The world’s cities are growing fast: within 30 years, 70% of the global population will live in cities, a shift that is already having a huge impact on developing countries, where 95% of all urban growth is taking place. At the same time, climate change poses serious threats to urban infrastructure, quality of life, and other urban systems, in both developing and rich countries. Recognizing the seriousness of the current situation, the United Nations, has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals that address the challenges that we face globally, with a specific focus on climate change and environmental protection.

These goals are interconnected and can help to create a roadmap for any educational institution. The Center for Sustainable Cities at IE School of Architecture and Design will use the city (both as “cities” in general and using specific examples) as we seek to address how to insure sustainable, livable cities for the future. As an educational institution we have a responsibility to train future leaders who will have to shape a more humane world and to create and disseminate knowledge.

What we do

Analyze and evaluate the balance between production and return of Cities Ecosystem.
Connect and link the four environments of Cities Ecosystem: natural, social, built and digital.
Impact evaluation, in terms of sustainability, of any project or action.

HOW TO COLLABORATE

There are three potential areas to collaborate with the Center for Sustainable Cities: Education, Outreach and Research.

EDUCATION

LECTURE SERIES

IE School of Architecture and Design and the CSC has a long experience of bringing to Madrid top experts in their field to hold lectures, for our students, the public or for selected guests in a closed setting. Ten Pritzker Prize winners has been with us over the years as well as such names as: Odile Decq, Natalie de Vries, Joan Clos, Matthias Schuler, Stefano Boeri, Hunter Tura, Carlos Ratti, and many, many more.

SCHOLARSHIPS

As an academic institution, our goal is to bring together the mosttalented people –students, faculty, staff and community. In order for top students to be able to attend higher education, some need assistance. Named scholarships, that highlight the donor and are earmarked for talented students that meet the criteria established by the donor with IE. Scholarships tie into the ideas of active corporate responsibility.

LABS

At IE University, Labs are an innovative format for students to combine academics and hands‐on experience with our community. The volunteer students with a support of a faculty member work on real world projects in a variety of ways.

STUDENT CLUB

There are dozens of clubs at IE led by current students and alumni. The bring people together around a theme for discussions, site visits, activities, knowledge sharing and networking.

OUTREACH

WORKSHOPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

In an efforts to understand various points of view and to share information across the private, public and academic sectors, a 1⁄2 day or full day workshop can be organized. It usually includes a series of brief lectures and/or panel discussion, followed by dividing into small groups to discuss (with the help of a facilitator) specific aspects of the theme in an effort to contrast opinions and find common ground.

VENTURE DAY

IE Venture Days culminate in day‐long events that bring together the best start-ups, experts and investors around a theme. Start‐ups are in competition to be recognized as the best in their class and be able to receive support from IE through an accelerator course and mentorship opportunities.

RESEARCH

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP REPORTS

These reports brings together approximately 5 interviews and/or videos of leading thinkers in each field, so that in one the new trends, emerging ideas, or major challenges are brought out in an interesting and attractive format. Each report takes only about 3 months to produce from start to finish.

APPLIED RESEARCH

The Center for Sustainable Cities forms interdisciplinary teams to develop applied research in specific areas of interest. We have carried out White Papers for different companies as Engie, Prologis, Madrid Crea Norte, Renazca… , about a broad variety of topics as urban logistics, sustainability habits of citizens, local producers or circular economy. These reports will be published in approximately 5-12 months.

Our methodology is based on the following steps:

Background. Study and analysis of similar research.
Evaluation. Developing of an evaluation tool or protocol to address the objective, according to data-driven sustainable parameters.
Scenarios. Modelling and Simulation of different scenarios according to the evaluation system.
Implementation. Based on the evaluation criteria and scenarios, we propose specific actions and projects.
Recommendations. Our conclusions are a set of recommendations and strategies to address the initial objective.

IE X 12 RESILIENT CITIES

Meet our team

APPLIED RESEARCH

The Center for Sustainable Cities forms interdisciplinary teams to develop applied research in specific areas of interest.

We have carried out White Papers for different companies as Engie, Prologis, Madrid Crea Norte, Renazca… , about a broad variety of topics as urban logistics, sustainability habits of citizens, local producers or circular economy. These reports will be published in approximately 5-12 months.

Our methodology is based on the following steps:

Background. Study and analysis of similar research.
Evaluation. Developing of an evaluation tool or protocol to address the objective, according to data-driven sustainable parameters.
Scenarios. Modelling and Simulation of different scenarios according to the evaluation system.
Implementation. Based on the evaluation criteria and scenarios, we propose specific actions and projects.
Recommendations. Our conclusions are a set of recommendations and strategies to address the initial objective.

ARTICLES

IE UNIVERSITY DESIGNS THE WORLD’S FIRST INDICATOR TO OPTIMIZE THE IMPACT OF LOGISTICS ON CITIES

Designed by IE School of Architecture and Design’s Center for Sustainable Cities in collaboration with Prologis, the tool analyzes urban management challenges and proposes sustainable solutions.

THE IMPACT OF LOGISTICS IN CITIES

Early in the morning, before dawn, a group of vans is waiting in a warehouse in the outskirts of Madrid. They are waiting to load their trunks with the packages for delivery that arrived at the warehouse the night before. Meanwhile, inside somebody is distributing the according to delivery areas for the drivers. Once the vans are filled with the goods to deliver, the race starts.

By Manuel Pérez Romero.

A STUDY ABOUT THE SPANISH CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE TO FACE CLIMATE CHANGE

A study commissioned by ENGIE Spain and carried out by GAD3, in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Cities , shows that more than 90% of Spaniards say they are willing to change their habits in order to combat climate change. IE University's Center has prepared a White Paper interpreting this data.

THE REPLACEMENT OF ASPHALT

The City Prosperity Index, CPI, evaluates urban prosperity according to five parameters.

by Manuel Pérez Romero

A TALE OF TWO URBAN SYSTEMS

Finance and equity within urban infrastructures—is this an irreparable tension or a constructive partnership? How do we refine our urban systems and models? How do we mobilize data in meaningful ways?

by Cem Kayatekin

LAS CIUDADES POST-COVID-19 QUE SE REDISEÑAN

¿Qué medidas estamos viendo a este respecto en distintas ciudades, ahora que estamos planteando el regreso a una nueva normalidad? ¿Cómo varían las propuestas alrededor del planeta?

by Cristina Mateo

THE MOST OUTSTANDING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTIONS OF THE LAST DECADE

From a vertical forest rising in a busy metropolis to a power plant that doubles as a ski slope, Dean Martha Thorne selects some of the most influential buildings.

by Martha Thorne

NEW SPACES FOR NEW LIFE HABITS

Our habits have evolved, generating new needs in relation to the environments where we live our lives.

with Martha Thorne and Paul Priestman

ARE THE TECH GIANTS TAKING OVER AS OUR CITY LEADERS?

Our cities are increasingly being used as laboratories for countless innovations.

by Cristina Mateo

IE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES ASSISTS RENAZCA IN A UNIQUE PLACE-MAKING PROJECT FOR A KEY AREA OF MADRID

RENAZCA, formed by companies that own buildings in the superblock area of Madrid known as AZCA, has selected a design team to lead the transformation and reactivation of this central, but deteriorated, part of the city.

by IE School of Architecture & Design

A NEW URBAN CONFIGURATION AFTER THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS

In this conversation, Carlo Ratti , Director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, and Dean Martha Thorne, discuss how this new configuration is being generated as a result of the current health crisis.

Watch video

by Carlo Ratti and Martha Thorne

TOWARDS MORE EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

There is a major source of hidden value in construction, related to energy and therefore not visible, which is being wasted: green equity.

by Fernando de Roda

BY 2050, THE WORLD WILL HAVE 9.7 BILLION INHABITANTS OF WHOM 70% WILL LIVE IN URBAN AREAS

Humans need to be at the heart of every strategy, cities need to adapt to the needs of humans.

A NEW CITY AFTER THE CRISIS

The COVID-19 pandemic has suspended the social interaction that forms the essence of our cities. Now more than ever, we are looking towards the future of urban planning.

By Cristina Mateo

RAJ REWAL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY

During the Hay Festival 2019 celebrated in our Segovia Campus, visiting speaker Raj Rewal spoke with Architectural Record about how using natural materials and sustainable design, has given his work a timeless appeal.

By Raj Rewal

LESSONS LEARNED FROM TIMES OF CRISIS

As urban models have evolved, the guiding objective has been to reduce the risk of disasters—such as fires, floods, earthquakes and epidemics—taking hold. These prevention strategies have been shaping our cities over the course of history.

By Manuel Pérez Romero

THOSE THIRD SPACES THAT PEOPLE NEED

The cities of the planet are diverse and distinct, occupy a scarce 3% of the earth’s surface, but consume between 60% and 80% of energy, in addition to emitting 75% of carbon emissions.

by Cristina Mateo

THE PRICE WE PAY FOR INEFFICIENT BUILDINGS

CO₂ concentration measured by the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii, at 3 400 m altitude and in one of the cleanest, driest and most intact environments on the planet, reached a record level of 415.64 ppm on May 15.

by Fernando de Roda

WE NEED TO HARNESS THE GREEN EQUITY IN OUR BUILDINGS

This urgently needed measure can help us combat climate change, writes Fernando de Roda.

by Fernando de Roda

ARCHITECTURE HAS LIMITS TO ACHIEVE URBAN EQUITY. WHAT SHOULD WE DO

Accessibility and mobility. When perceived through the architectural lens, these terms often evoke a range capped by two extremes.

by Cem Kayatekin

CITIES OF THE FUTURE: CHALLENGES OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Growth pressure is having an impact on the functioning of cities, on their governance, and on quality of life.

by Martha Thorne

MORE HUMAN CITIES

With cities growing at a relentless and ever-increasing pace, urban development models are more important than ever.

by Carmen Panadero

HOW TO ACHIEVE A RESILIENT CITY? FIRST, LET IT SHAPE ITSELF

The city is both the object and the jungle. Yet, when we speak of urban resilience, we often forget about the jungle, and focus on the object.

by Cem Kayatekin

TOWARDS "HAPPY AIRPORTS"

Airport terminals have long been viewed as indistinguishable and anonymous places of transit. But now, at the height of globalization, airport terminals are fighting to differentiate themselves and become veritable meeting points that offer an attractive value proposition to passengers.

by Cristina Mateo

TOWARDS MORE EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

The Challenge for countries like India and Japan, with ancient living traditions, has been the confrontation with modernization and technology.

by Martha Thorne

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

PAST EVENTS

What's next for Architecture and urbanism?

Design and the future of cities

Work play heal learn... or just life?

makeathon on sustainable design business proposals

Evolution | Revolution

Inspiring limitations

Sensesable cities

How can we practice architecture with an ecological awareness?

Innovation in urban strategies

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

STRATEGY IS

2019-2018

THE POWER OF 10

2018-2017

ON STEWARDSHIP

2017-2016

Slide 1 of 4

"We always need art: on good and bad days, with rain or sun. We need to be surrounded by art that stimulates and pushes us into another reality"

Elena-Ochoa-Foster

“When designing tall buildings, I try to create a social network at the facade. We need to know each other before we can care for our environment.”

Jeanne Gang

"We created Senseable Cities Lab because through digital technologies, and the human quality of being 'sensible' of keeping people at the center. Ultimately it is an issue of approach- top-down versus bottom-up.”

Carlo Ratti

“Good urbanization can be an engine of growth, a tool for development and a source of prosperity.”

Joan Clos

Education

The Center for Sustainable Cities is continuously promoting the education about Cities and Sustainability with different types of programs from short‐term to long‐term courses:

The rapid exponential growth and transformation of cities and their citizens brings great challenges at a social and environmental level, and a consequent increase in the complexity of the urban environment. Many professionals converge in the city, but paradoxically, there is no specific discipline that addresses the urban phenomenon from a holistic point of view. The Bachelor in Urban Studies aims to train professionals capable of understanding and responding to the urban phenomenon, through an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge about the city.

The Interdisciplinary Module is the backbone of the Degree. It represents the place where the integration of subjects, the teaching of projects and creativity happens. The interdisciplinary integration is carried out at the City Laboratory, through a specific teaching coordination and methodology between subjects, classified according to the three environments that structure a city: the natural, social and built environment.

Bachelor in urban studies

IE School of Architecture & Design offers training in Urban Studies, understood in a more holistic way, with the citizen and the environment at the center, and integrating technology and innovation. Specialization comes at a stage after the degree, either through an academic specialization in a master or through professional practice itself.

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