Competition 2016: Shortlisted in the category Research

Bcn Dynamics

300.000 Km/s, 2015
Area Planning Urban Development Medium Information Visualization Physical Installation Type Research Contract

"?Barcelona Dynamics? is a collection of 24 cartographies analyzing the growing complexity of the metropolitan territory of Barcelona over the past 40 years. The Metropolitan Authority of Barcelona (AMB) is currently drafting a new Metropolitan Urban Master Plan (PDU) -the last General Master Plan for this large conurbation made up with 36 municipalities dates back to 1976.

The Metropolitan Urban Master Plan (PDU) is a great opportunity to think about the future of the metropolitan city as well as exploring new approaches and tools that are transforming the urban design discipline itself. Introducing contemporary Big Data analysis and visualization as an initial step of a large scale urban design process is a new concept.

?Barcelona Dynamics? quantifies sociodemographic, economic and morphological aspects of the territory to provide a point of departure for the future metropolitan proposal. The cartographies demonstrate that the mixture of urban uses, constructed forms and economic activities generate a vibrant metropolis. The concentration of inhabitants and workers, the evolution of the urban fabric and the association of certain activities shape the metropolitan landscape. These multiple dynamics can be read under the parameters of Density, Time and Diversity.

This process show us a vision that goes beyond the physical space: how urban tangible form is modified by different types of behaviour. From the square meters of growing surface to the income of private companies and the age of population or the number of digital social interactions, we can represent the city by means of data. This datification enables us to integrate multiple information in a unique representation and propose novel urban strategies where form could follows behaviour.

The cartographies in 'Barcelona Dynamics' have been presented in different formats: physical installation, book and interactive visualisation.The project has been exhibited in the DHUB Barcelona Design Museum (Metropolis Barcelona) and the Chicago Arts Institute (Chatter: Architecture Talks Back); it has been included in the publication Metropolis Barcelona () and can be browsed in the online platform Barcelona Dynamics (link)."

Links

Authors

  • Santamaria-Varas, Mar 300.000 Km/s
  • Martinez-Diez, Pablo 300.000 Km/s

Project Partner

Project commisioned by Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (www.amb.cat)