04 Nov SHAPING DIGITAL CITIES: SERVICE DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN FURURES
Digital Masterplanning is an introductory course that covers the process and outcomes of applying human-centred data-driven service design methodologies to the design of the digital urban infrastructure.
In practice, Digital Masterplanning is the process of shaping the place’s digital layer to maximise operational, social and environmental value. Service Design is a capability within urban development and urban transformation to inform policy making and masterplanning processes, making sure that the future infrastructure addresses people’s needs and aims for sustainable futures.
The higher framing is the digital sustainable transformation of our cities, and this course dives into the complexity of designing public digital services within the built environment. Some of the topics to be explored include:
– Shifting focus towards placing people and community at the heart of the innovation process
– Approaches and tools to design pragmatic and visionary services for people: evidence-based research process, issue reframing. synthesizing findings into concepts, mapping experiences, co-creation approaches, translating user needs into technology use-cases.
– Moving from single services to integrated service ecosystems that address multi-faceted Climate-related challenges.
The course aims to inspire students with an interest in design and innovation, equipping them with an overview of tools and processes that create new digital urban futures that positively impact people’s lives.
MARTA GRANDA_NISTAL
A Madrid-born Londoner, my background spans Architecture design , Business, and Digital Innovation, each thread weaving into my passion for reshaping physical and digital experiences that create value for people and the environment.
Co-founder of two London-based design firms, I was Principal of Binom Architects for over a decade, fostering sustainable transformations in cities across the UK, Norway, and Spain. Throughout this period, I also lectured extensively at UK Architecture Schools.
My professional trajectory took a transformative turn with an Executive MBA (LBS), specializing in Digital Business Strategy. This led to active involvement in Social Impact startups, as founder or collaborator. In September 2021, I joined the global engineering consultancy Arup as Head of the Digital Studio team, leading the global expansion of Service and User Experience design.
Beyond my corporate responsibilities, I have served as expert advisor to the Social Value in Design taskforce (RIBA) and the New London Architecture foundation as expert panellist on Built Environment Technology Innotation.
Skills
1. Students will gain an understanding of how service design methodologies applied to digital infrastructure can influence and transform complex urban systems to deliver positive impact and innovative businesses and social outcomes.
2. The student will be able to critically reflect on the public impact of digital design in cities, and the responsibilities of design practitioners
3. Students will be acquainted with imagining and concepting new urban services and experiences in response to challenges of technological, social and environmental futures in city contexts.
Schedule
Which dates?
20 January 2025
27 January 2025
3 February 2025
10 February 2025
17 February 2025
24 February 2025
What day?
Mondays
What time?
11:00-12:30