The "IA Lab COAM" is an experimental space launched by the Board of Architects of Madrid to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on architecture. It aims to lead discussions on how AI can transform creative processes and enhance the ethical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of the profession. Mar Santamaria has participated in a round table moderated by Inés Leal, together with other architects and industry experts.

Mar Santamaria was the keynote speaker in the II Jornada Viladecans 2030 "Intermediate city, Necessary Cities" (15 October 2024). This event focuses on the importance of intermediate cities in sustainable development. It offers three thematic tracks: communication for innovation via the 2030 Agenda, urban governance in medium-sized cities, and designing future streets. The event includes roundtables, workshops, and closing discussions, and features experts from public administration, urban planning, and future studies. The goal is to promote collaborative governance and innovative urban planning aligned with sustainability goals.

On 21 September 2024, Mar Santamaría took part in the participatory conference 'The Future of Rivers' in Terrassa, organised by the Terrassa Higher School of Industrial, Aerospace and Audiovisual Engineering in order to communicate the value of the rieras as a structuring element of the territory. The co-founder of 300,000km/s gave a lecture entitled 'Drawing cities, drawing futures', in which she addressed, among other things, how to see and draw the city in order to achieve more human urban environments that promote the mixture and multiplication of urbanity.

This week we had the pleasure of participating in the presentation of a key piece of work for urban agendas in Spain in the coming years.

The report, developed by the Spanish Council of Architects’ Associations together with the professional group forming the Urban Regeneration Working Group, aims to establish consensus among sector professionals on the definition, evaluation, benefits, phases, and stakeholders involved in regeneration projects. The document is intended to provide support and guidance for administrations initiating these processes for the first time, and to assist those already engaged in addressing strategic uncertainties they may encounter.

With Spain facing the challenge of an aging housing stock, there is a pressing need to update urban fabrics collaboratively with the residents who inhabit and care for them. This transformation aims not only to adapt to climate change but also to foster a more equitable society, ensuring regeneration reaches every corner. Accelerating the transformation and adaptation of our municipalities is urgent. We have successful case studies to learn from, data to inform decisions, and identified challenges to improve our legal framework and financing instruments. We have the necessary components; now we must synchronize their efforts.

300,000Km/s has been involved in the final stages of this report, integrating diverse perspectives, providing and supplementing information as guided by the expert committee, and ensuring the document represents all stakeholders comprehensively and cohesively. We contributed data and case studies, and visually enhanced key content. Above all, we have taken pride in shaping this publication, which we hope will contribute to tackling one of the most significant challenges in the years ahead.

The report is available for download on the CSCAE website:
https://lnkd.in/dX6fXkGA

On Monday, April 29th, at the Argiletum headquarters on Via della Madonna dei Monti 40, DIPARTIMENTO DI ARCHITETTURA ROMA TRE, as part of the series of meetings for the PhD program "architecture, city, landscape," Mar Santamaria Varas and Pablo Martinez Diez gave a lecture titled "The Invisible Cities," to discuss methods of narration/description and urban projects.

On April 8th, we participated in the presentation of the book "Barcelona es curiosidad" by Carlota Rubio and Alfons Cornella. This book, in which we are featured, aims to celebrate the richness and freedom of ideas and actions that have curiosity at their core and that are created, developed, and distributed from the city to the entire world. It is a celebration of the curiosity of the people of Barcelona that makes the world better.

Mar Santamaria, co-founder of 300,000 Km/s, participated in the roundtable on urban regeneration held at the Construmat fair in Barcelona. The event, moderated by Sergio García-Gasco, General Coordinator of the 2030 Observatory, also invited Carles Donar, Co-director of the Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory, Eduardo Brunet, Founder of the Green Finance Institute in Spain, Miguel Hernández, Head of Strategy of Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte, and David Martínez, Manager of Urban Planning of the Barcelona City Council.

On the 4th of April, we conducted a talk titled "The Erratic City" as part of the Master of Urban Mobility program at the School of Architecture of Barcelona.

Last Wednesday, March 20th, at 6:00 PM, the presentation of Embarriados: Atlas of the new urban and social vulnerability in Spain, was held in the auditorium of the COAC in Barcelona. EMBARRIADOS is a research project by 300.000 Km/s in collaboration with the Cotec Foundation, aiming to provide new insights into the relationship between the city, mobility, and urban inequality to support the formulation of public policies and mitigate the potential consequences.

The Royal Danish Academy visited the offices of 300.000 Km/s during their trip to Barcelona, where they were given a presentation showcasing the studio's projects related to the theme of their journey.