Perea Solano
Miguel Jorge
Validated Lead Expert
Generic Skills
B.1. Understanding of integrated and sustainable urban development:
The notion of sustainable urban development became a major trend after the ’90s at the School of Architecture, having little impact on the academic field along with my degree studies.
To overcome such gap, at the ETSAB, we built in 2014 the research by design subject “Ecological Urbanism: Concepts, Strategies and projects” to make the reflection on sustainability as a key element in contemporary urban production specifically regarding the urban metabolism as a complex element which encompasses from mobility to ecology (water, energy, waste). Urban Metabolism, was explored further along the Erasmus transnational programme “Metropolitan E-studio” (2016-2018) between the ETSAB, ULB, and the IUAV schools of architecture.
At professional level, the production of sustainable urban developments has been tested and explored professionally through specific urban design approaches addressing mobility (reduction of forced mobility, Co2 reduction ), the ecology of new green spaces (typology, soil and water cycle impact, bio-diversity) and the discussion of energy in cities (efficiency, self-sustainable).
Sant Boi’s strategic urban interventions (2017-2018) in the suburban mountain quarters, introduce new forms of centrality with economic activity and mix typologies to socially balance the quarters. Also to improve public transportation’s feasibility and soft mobility modes(bikes, pedestrians).
B.2. Understanding of exchange and learning processes at transnational level:
My transnational activities have been structured on coordinating and directing an IP Erasmus Life-long programme, International workshops and the participation in peer-review processes on urban thesis.
The IP Life-long Erasmus programme “Metropolitan e-studio” (2015-2018) combined e-learning methodologies with on-site workshops, visits and professional and academic lectures. For the IP was introduced a web e-learning platform to stimulate contact between students, professional and stakeholders. The programme coordination was based on both on transnational and online web meeting together with the preparation of reports concerning the programme evolution. The publication “Designing Territorial Metabolism” (Jovis,2008) became a major outcome for the academic and general public.
The Workshop IP “Zona Franca” (2015) required a high level of organization between local public and private actors, coordinated through online meetings between the international partnerships. The experience, based on multinational academic design labs, was meant to create a consistent framework of exchange and discussion between academics and professionals. The share of knowledge, the design outcome as a mix of perspectives and sensitivities and the open character of urban discussions was an inclusive part of the programme. The publication “UPCYCLE BARCELONA. Cogenerative design strategies for a sustainable urban metabolism” was the major element of diffusion for the general public.
B.3. Proficiency in English:
Since my undergraduate studies, when I undertook English lessons until pre-proficiency level, my capacity to communicate in English has evolved strongly linked to my professional and academic practice.
In professional terms, my engagement at Manuel de Solà-Morales studio was much connected with the development of European urban projects in Belgium and The Nederland, which requested a high degree of technical vocabulary, knowledge of formal writing, and good oral skills for the debate with public authorities and stakeholders.
That knowledge was extended along my first academic experience fully in English, at the International programme IES Abroad (Chicago university in Barcelona), lecturing and debating for two years on the evolution of cities and urban ideas from the Renascence until the XX Century. Such experience was reinforced by teaching along a semester at the Syracuse’s School of Architecture, NY, USA.
My activity in central Europe, both academic and professional, since Manuel de Solà trespass in 2012, has forced me to progressively acquire a higher degree of knowledge and oral skills for the public presentation of urban ideas, both addressed to the general public –neighbour associations, open presentations – and to more academic and professional audiences. Such capacity has been tested in the writing of academic articles in indexed publications, in lecturing in many European universities and in the engagement on multiple transnational academic programmes.
Expertise for the design and delivery of transnational exchange and learning activities:
Summary Expertise for the design and delivery of transnational exchange and learning activities:
My experience achieved in different European countries, with different types of institutions and stakeholders, and with different types of partnership –academic and professional- has provided me the possibility of understanding the specific needs of the different actors involved in the territorial production. That led me to understand the importance to stimulate transversal design processes to engage these territorial actors to debate on urban areas and territorial issues where mutual cooperation is not often evident. In this blurred areas, the potentials still are to be raised as far as our attention has not been driven enough to such spaces. The need to rebalance this disperse city areas building cohesive and sustainable territories opens today the discussion on its meaning within the metropolitan regions, becoming a territory for urban innovation.
Participatory design-based processes, focused on urban relationships enhance the role of institutional and private actors as well as promotes a more base-ground civic discussion. These kinds of processes, implemented in transnational experiences, intensify knowledge transfer between actors and partners, as places the territorial question rather as a matter of opportunity than of necessity in a horizontal discussion. The knowledge on the state of the art mixed with the decision-making capacity, together with the civic approach, become a fundamental tool to debate on these areas where it is produced the contemporary city.
Thematic expertise:
Theme / Policy:
Urban Strategic Planning
Summary Thematic expertise:
Strategic city planning and its implications for the urban project has been one of my major interests in my professional and academic career. This interest led me to work at Manuel de Solà-Morales firm in Barcelona, to understand the principles of “acupunctural” city design as a basis for the transformation of cities through strategic proposals. The possibility to impact in the understanding and development of large fragments of the city through punctual interventions, introducing a new city perception was an extremely interesting and suggestive idea that was explored in many urban designs.
Methodologically, the complexity of urban strategic projects historically tackled as a matter of use definition and built form, neglecting often that its success relays on its capacity to provide collective uses creating mixed domains. The necessity to enlarge its definition by integrating within the planning definitions its spatial and public space sense towards the larger city has become a major trend to ensure its urban success.
Strategic planning have widened its scope of action, creating expectations on its capacity to improve the economic and social conditions and focusing on larger interventions. Our work experience in the Barcelona’s metropolitan region proofs that reliability of such operations depends rather on the integration of city actors, stakeholders and civic forces public to fix the appropriated character to the public realm rather than in its final form.
Theme / Policy:
Sustainable Urban Mobility
Summary Thematic expertise:
Sustainable urban mobility has been connected with the quantitative character of transit and its discussion often focuses on its reduction, treatment, and general efficiency. As architect and urban designer, my involvement in the development of several complex urban projects dealing with the integration of sustainable urban mobility systems has been connected with the structural relationship between infrastructure and the city, their potential forms of integration and share, and the urban experiences that mobility provides as contemporary city experience.
The improvement of public space, the incorporation of new forms of soft mobility and the production of a higher degree of urbanity at the infrastructure is inherent to achieve its urban integration. At the central areas like at the renewal of Antwerp’s city center, the design of mobility infrastructures (by-pass tunnels, metro stations) may free its space and the benefits for public space become evident, allowing new modes of transportation (pre-metro stations) and new soft mobility issues (electric bikes).
At the metropolitan territory, infrastructures, due to administrative and functional reasons, segregates the territory, building impossible barriers without friction or contact. Here, sustainable mobility solution implies a change in the thinking paradigm on the infrastructure character to evolve into a large metropolitan urban role.
Expertise support to local authorities and other stakeholders in designing & delivering integrated and participatory policies
Informations
Residence location:
Spain
Languages:
Spanish - Mother tongue
Foreign Languages level:
Foreign languages:
Foreign Languages level:
Foreign languages:
Email:
jperea@jpam.eu