Descodificando la planificación urbana contemporánea: Hacia una alternativa metodológica para una planificación colaborativa, abierta a la incorporación tecnológica

Las ciudades están creciendo de una forma exponencial alojando numerosas problemáticas y complejidades que se combinan con la creciente transición tecnológica que estamos viviendo. Todo esto genera desafíos que la planificación clásica con métodos convencionales no ha podido abarcar, por lo tanto, ha provocado un fallo sistemático en sus respuestas en el último siglo. Frente a esta situación, nuestra pregunta de investigación es: ¿Cómo la planificación urbana contemporánea puede mejorar sus resultados a través de las tecnologías urbanas? Una pregunta que nos adentramos a resolver adentrándonos a revisar el pasado, sus errores, aciertos, técnicas y métodos para poder entender el camino hacia el futuro. Y es precisamente en la revisión de la literatura sobre los métodos de planificación para atender las complejidades urbanas donde encontramos con una de las causas de los fracasos de la planificación histórica y de la actual. Los vaivenes entre dos posiciones encontradas, la humanística que concibe la ciudad como un sistema complejo asociado a la vitalidad urbana, y, por lo tanto, con la obligación de contar con procesos colaborativos para que pueda ser planificada, y por otra, la tecnocrática que consideraba que la planificación resolvería sus problemas a través de la lógica matemática apoyándose en las computadoras. Las oscilaciones de este dilema de planificación han supuestos diferentes resultados y prácticas hasta día de hoy. Unas oscilaciones que han generado un péndulo donde la planificación se ha centrado más en debatir teóricamente sobre su método que sobre la idoneidad de sus resultados. Sin embargo, ambos métodos siempre han tenido el mismo objetivo: atender la complejidad urbana. Por ello, en el devenir del tiempo surge un tercer movimiento que argumenta la convergencia entre ambos polos, resolviendo de este modo el dilema de la planificación. Este movimiento define la ciudad como un sistema complejo y combina las dos metodologías, colaboración ciudadana y tecnologías, ambas, para abordar dicha complejidad. Esta posición fundamentada por Portugali (2011) se convierte en el origen de esta tesis, y en la teoría (humanistas más tecnocráticos) que fundamenta la alternativa metodológica que se propone. Las tecnologías urbanas que ayudan a poder llevar a cabo esta teoría de la convergencia se concretan en tres elementos: Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), Herramientas de Visualización (HV), y, Modelos de Simulación Urbana (MSU). La conjunción de dichos elementos se denomina Planning Support System (PSS). Tras una reflexión sobre el uso y utilidad de cada uno de ellos, nos detenemos en los MSU, por presentar la capacidad de apoyar tanto en su modelización como simulación en la verificación de escenarios de una forma colaborativa. Por ello, en esta tesis nos centramos en la técnica de Modelos Basados en Agentes (MBA) al tratarse de una técnica específica para explorar los sistemas complejos y, además, tener opciones a tener un proceso de modelización que encaja con los procesos colaborativos necesitados en la simulación. Frente a la falta de utilización de estas herramientas tecnológicas, y conjunto a la teoría de la convergencia (entre humanísticos y tecnócratas), la alternativa metodológica propuesta define en diez pasos –basados en los pasos actuales que sigue la práctica profesional generalmente- cómo dichas herramientas pueden llevarnos hacia un proceso de planificación colaborativa abierta a la incorporación tecnológica. Todo esto, buscando enriquecer los procesos actuales y no romper con ellos, es decir, producir una renovación pacífica hacia una planificación contemporánea que tenga los métodos y herramientas para lidiar con la complejidad urbana. El ensayo de la alternativa para empezar a visualizar su aplicabilidad se realiza en el caso de estudio denominado “Intramuros” que es el centro de la ciudad de Jerez de la frontera (Andalucía, España) y que representa un caso tipo de centro histórico abandonado y clasificado en los desafíos globales como el decrecimiento o la gentrificación en un contexto local. Intramuros aborda la complejidad a través de una planificación colaborativa asociada a la implementación tecnológica. Un proceso que recrea el esquema universal de información, diagnóstico y propuesta, y lo hace en claves locales a través de una modelización de la complejidad específica que presenta Intramuros, aproximándose a la validación de sus resultados, configurándose distintos escenarios con acciones que buscan revertir el descenso de la población, y analizando y valorando los comportamientos de los agentes. Por lo tanto, esta tesis concluye proponiendo este ensayo como potencial a ser ejemplo para otros ensayos o incluso mejora del mismo, pretendiendo así, el afinamiento de la alternativa y potenciando su validez como método de planificación que busca mejorar sus condiciones actuales hacia un proceso más colaborativo, transparente, y contemporáneo. Las herramientas utilizadas no han sido la solución, la solución ha sido cómo, cuándo y con quién han sido utilizadas. La inteligencia no está en la herramienta (ni en la creación de nuevas herramientas), sino en la utilidad que hacemos de ella.Cities are growing at an unprecedented speed, integrating and facing various novel issues and complexities as well as grappling with the shift towards an increasingly technology-dependent society. These constantly changing contexts lead to new challenges that classical planning, relying on conventional methods, has not yet learnt to comprehend and embrace which has thus led to a systematic failure in its responses from the last century. Faced with this situation, our research question is: How can contemporary urban planning improve its results through urban technologies? This is a question that we aim to address by going in depth in a learning process that aims to review the past – its errors, successes, techniques and methods – to be able to understand the path forward. We rely on a literature review of planning methods used to address urban complexity where we can find one the main causes of the failures of urban planning, both historical and current: the oscillation between two distinct positions. On the one hand, there is the humanist position that views the city as a complex system associated with urban complexity and, thus, with the obligation of relying on collaborative processes that are essential to planning. On the other hand, there is the technocratic position that considered that planning can resolve the problems of the city through mathematical logic, relying on computers. The oscillations of this planning dilemma have led to different results and practices that are enforced until today, which made planning more focused on its method rather than on the suitability of its results. Nonetheless, both methods have always had the same objective: address the urban complexity. Throughout time, a third movement emerged, that argues for the convergence between the two poles, thus resolving the planning dilemma. This movement defines the city as a complex system and combines the two methodologies civic collaboration and technologies to address complexity. The foundations of this position have been laid by Portugali (2011); his work represents the originating point of this thesis as well as in the theory (humanist more than technocratic) that represents the basis of the proposed methodological alternative. The urban technologies that help achieve this theory of convergence are concretized in three elements: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Visualization Tools (VT) and Urban Simulation Models (USM). The three are grouped under the concept of Planning Support System (PSS). Following a critical reflection on the use and usefulness of each element, we focus on USM to illustrate the capacity to support both in modelling as a simulation as well as in the verification of scenarios in a collaborative manner. In this thesis we further narrow the focus on the Agent-Based Model (ABM) technique, referring to a specific technique used to explore complex systems and to offer the option of having a modelling process that can work together with the collaborative processes needed in the simulation. Faced with the lack of use of these technological tools as well as based on the theory of convergence (between humanists and technocrats), the proposed methodological alternative defines, in ten steps that are based on the actual steps followed by professional practice in general, how these tools can lead to a collaborative planning process that is open to technological integration. The aim of this alternative is to enrich current processes and not to break away from them, thus striving towards a peaceful renewal of contemporary planning that includes the methods and tools needed to cope with urban complexity. The testing of the alternative in order to begin to visualize its applicability is done in the case study named “Intramurals” – the central area of the city of Jerez de la Frontera (Andalusia, Spain) – that represent a typical case of an abandoned historical centre characterized by depopulation (as a global challenge) or gentrification (in a local context). Intramurals deals with complexity through the use of collaborative planning combined with technological implementation, as part of a process that recreates the universal scheme of information, diagnosis and proposal, doing so in key topics through the modelling of the specific complexity of Intramurals. In doing so, we move closer to the validation of its [who?] results, configuring different scenarios with actions that aim to reverse depollution, and understanding the behaviour of agents. This thesis concludes by proposing the aforementioned test as an example or inspiration for other tests or for finding new ways of improving the alternative, thus intending to enhance the latter’s validity as a planning method that aims to better its current context and help the shift towards a more collaborative, transparent and contemporary process. The tools that were used do not represent the solution; the solution is the knowledge on how, when and with whom they were used. The intelligence is thus not of or in the tool (nor in the development of new tools), but in the way in which we make use of the tool

Making city in the "non-city" : the integration of irregular settlements in Andalusia. A case study

The problems associated with numerous irregular buildings existing in Andalucia today, demands a new approach. In order to deepen the definition of strategies of urbano-territorial integration of these settlements, we present a case study in which, at the end of its implementation in agent-based simulation models, we summarize the ODD Protocol which will form the basis of the simulation, indicating the determining factors to consider for an effective and participatory planning, that minimize the progressive estrangement between the normative framework and the reality that is tried to order

Planning Support Systems: from universal solutions to local planning method. The case of planning practitioners in Andalusia.

Processes of urban transformation and technological advances are leading to drastic changes in urban environments and to novel local challenges for urban planners. Scientific research is exploring the potential of various technologies to support planning and Planning Support Systems (PSS) have been proposed as strategies to improve current planning practices. PSS are not without their critics, both from academia and practice, who dispute their usefulness and usability, and they have so far been scarcely implemented in practice, with limited success. Using a case study approach, we report on the findings of in-depth interviews with practitioners in Andalusia, Spain, focusing on the main planning challenges that respondents identify in their work and how technology can help address them. We identified three main challenges: developing an adaptable general plan, improving current public participation processes and encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue. Each planning challenge is understood to have different technological needs (if any at all), that indicates a strong relationship between reported planning challenges, the use of technologies and the planning context. This shows the need to reevaluate mainstream approaches to PSS, shifting from the development of generalized, transferable PSS to context-based approaches that focus on methodologies for collecting situated knowledge on local planning challenges, which could lead to specially-tailored PSS

Making city in the "Non-City": the integration of irregular settlements in Andalusia. A case study

The problems associated with numerous irregular buildings existing in Andalucia today, demands a new approach. In order to deepen the definition of strategies of urbano-territorial integration of these settlements, we present a case study in which, at the end of its implementation in agent-based simulation models, we summarize the ODD Protocol which will form the basis of the simulation, indicating the determining factors to consider for an effective and participatory planning, that minimize the progressive estrangement between the normative framework and the reality that is tried to order.

Intermediate band solar energy conversion in ZnTeO

Energy conversion in solar cells incorporating ZnTeO base layers is presented. The ZnTeO base layers incorporate intermediate electronic states located approximately 0.4eV below the conduction band edge as a result of the substitution of O in Te sites in the ZnTe lattice. Cells with ZnTeO base layers demonstrate optical response at energies lower than the ZnTe bandedge, a feature that is absent in reference cells with ZnTe base layers. Quantum efficiency is significantly improved with the incorporation of ZnSe emitter/window layers and transition from growth on GaAs substrates to GaSb substrates with a near lattice match to ZnTe

Self-organized colloidal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles for plasmon-enhanced intermediate-band solar cells

A colloidal deposition technique is presented to construct long-range ordered hybrid arrays of self-assembled quantum dots and metal nanoparticles. Quantum dots are promising for novel opto-electronic devices but, in most cases, their optical transitions of interest lack sufficient light absorption to provide a significant impact in their implementation. A potential solution is to couple the dots with localized plasmons in metal nanoparticles. The extreme confinement of light in the near-field produced by the nanoparticles can potentially boost the absorption in the quantum dots by up to two orders of magnitude. In this work, light extinction measurements are employed to probe the plasmon resonance of spherical gold nanoparticles in lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots and amorphous silicon thin-films. Mie theory computations are used to analyze the experimental results and determine the absorption enhancement that can be generated by the highly intense near-field produced in the vicinity of the gold nanoparticles at their surface plasmon resonance. The results presented here are of interest for the development of plasmon-enhanced colloidal nanostructured photovoltaic materials, such as colloidal quantum dot intermediate-band solar cells

Ductus arterioso persistente en el adulto: a propósito de un caso

Patent ductus arteriosus is a rare congenital heart disease in adults and usually presents as a single anomaly. It is important for the clinical cardiologist to identify cases with patent ductus whose resultant left-to-right shunt is causing pressure overload in cardiac cavities as well as pulmonary hypertension due to hyperaflux. In these cases, closure is indicated, and currently the percutaneous occlusion is the first line of treatment, if the anatomy allows it. Surgical closure in adults involves risks due to anatomical and histological changes, and is relegated a second line.El conducto arterioso persistente es una cardiopatía congénita poco frecuente en el adulto y suele presentarse como anomalía única. Es importante para el cardiólogo clínico la identificación de los casos con ductus permeable cuyo cortocircuito izquierda-derecha resultante está causando sobrecarga de presiones en las cavidades cardíacas, así como hipertensión pulmonar por hiperaflujo. En estos casos está indicado el cierre, siendo en la actualidad la oclusión percutánea la primera línea de tratamiento, si la anatomía lo permite. El cierre quirúrgico en adultos implica un mayor riesgo debido a sus cambios anatómicos e histológicos, y se considera una opción de segunda línea

Intermediate band to conduction band optical absorption in ZnTeO

ZnTe doped with high concentrations of oxygen has been proposed in previous works as an intermediate band (IB) material for photovoltaic applications. The existence of extra optical transitions related to the presence of an IB has already been demonstrated in this material and it has been possible to measure the absorption coefficient of the transitions from the valence band (VB) to the IB. In this study, we present the first measurement of the absorption coefficient associated with transitions from the IB to the conduction band (CB) in ZnTeO. The samples used are 4-mum-thick ZnTe layers with or without O in a concentration ~10 19 cm -3, which have been grown on semiinsulating GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The IB-CB absorption coefficient peaks for photon energies ~0.4 eV. It is extracted from reflectance and transmittance spectra measured using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Under typical FTIR measurement conditions (low light intensity, broadband spectrum), the absorption coefficient in IB-to-CB transitions reaches 700 cm -1. This is much weaker than the one observed for VB-IB absorption. This result is consistent with the fact that the IB is expected to be nearly empty of electrons under equilibrium conditions in ZnTe(O)

Intermediate Band to Conduction Band optical absorption in ZnTe:O

ZnTe doped with high concentrations of oxygen has been proposed in previous works as intermediate band (IB) material for photovoltaic applications. The existence of extra optical transitions related to the presence of an IB has already been demonstrated in this material and it has been possible to measure the absorption coefficient of the transitions from the valence band (VB) to the IB. In this work we present the first measurement of the absorption coefficient associated to transitions from the IB to the conduction band (CB) in ZnTe:O. The samples used are 4 ?m thick ZnTe layers with or without O in a concentration ~ 1019 cm-3, which have been grown on semi-insulating GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The IB-CB absorption coefficient peaks for photon energies ~ 0.4 eV. It is extracted from reflectance and transmittance spectra measured using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Under typical FTIR measurement conditions (low light intensity, broadband spectrum) the absorption coefficient in IB-to-CB transitions reaches 700 cm-1. This is much weaker than the one observed for VB-IB absorption. This result is consistent with the fact that the IB is expected to be nearly empty of electrons under equilibrium conditions in ZnTe(:O). The absorption for VB to IB transitions is also observed in the same samples through reflectance measurements performed in the visible range using a monochromator. These measurements are compared with the quantum efficiency (QE) from solar cells fabricated under similar conditions

Visual perception alterations in COVID-19: a preliminary study

AIM: To compare the visual perception (color and chromatic-achromatic contrast vision) of a small cohort of COVID-19 patients at the time of infection and after 6mo with that of a healthy population matched for sex and age. METHODS: A total of 25 patients (9 females, 16 males, mean age: 54±10y) with COVID-19 hospitalized in the COVID-19 Unit of the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid were recruited for this preliminary study. Visual perception, as determined by monocular measurement of contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and color vision was assessed in each patient using the Optopad test. The results obtained were then compared with those of a sample of 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (5 females, 11 males, mean age: 50±6y) in which the same measurement procedure was repeated. Statistically significant differences between groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Measurements were repeated after a minimum follow-up period of 6mo and statistically significant differences between the two time points in each group were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Discrimination thresholds (color and chromatic-achromatic contrast vision) and their corresponding sensitivity, calculated as the inverse of the discrimination threshold, were evaluated. Analysis of the data revealed higher contrast threshold results (i.e., worse contrast sensitivity) in the COVID-19 group than in the control group for all spatial frequencies studied in the Optopad-CSF achromatic test and most of the spatial frequencies studied in the Optopad-CSF chromatic test for the red-green and blue-yellow mechanisms. In addition, color threshold results in the COVID-19 group were also significantly higher (i.e., worse color sensitivity) for almost all color mechanisms studied in the Optopad-Color test. At 6mo, most of the differences found between the groups were maintained despite COVID-19 recovery. CONCLUSION: The present results provide preliminary evidence that visual perception may be impaired in COVID-19, even when the infection has passed. Although further research is needed to determine the precise causes of this finding, analysis of CSF and color vision could provide valuable information on the visual impact of COVID-19