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Center for sustainable cities: research

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Center For Sustainable Cities
Center For Sustainable Cities: Research

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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 such as Madrid Nuevo Norte, Renazca, Prologis, Engie… , 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.

The Impact of Logistics in Cities

The objective of the research is to analyze and evaluate the impact of logistics in cities, and to propose specific strategies, actions, and planning policies to achieve a positive impact in the urban environment while maintaining the efficiency and functionality of the logistics network.

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Prologis

The transition from the consumer to the citizen

Analysis and interpretation of the results of the opinion poll developed by GAD3 about the sustainability behavior of Spanish citizens.

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Engie

Renazca Competition

Organization and management of Renazca competition.

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Renazca

Local Producers

On-going investigation to analyze the potential Local Producers for the Life Cycle of Madrid Nuevo Norte, for promoting and creating a network of local products, construction systems and services.

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CREA Madrid Nuevo Norte

The Last-Mile Logistic Impact Index (LM-LII)

To evaluate the impact of the logistic network in the urban environment, we developed a tool that we have called the Last-Mile Logistic Impact Index (LM-LII). This tool provides a quantitative measurement of the impact of logistics, based on environmental, functional, socioeconomic, urban, and information factors. These factors are overlayed with the stakeholders, logistic facilities, delivery vehicles, and the urban fabric to evaluate the impacts.

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CREA Madrid Nuevo Norte

The colors of Fuencarral neighborhood

To enhance the identity of Fuencarral neighborhood, we are developing a research about the most representative colors, textures and enclosures, and their evolution over time.

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.

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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