OL #46 The complexity of cities

IAM Open Lecture #46
Presenter:  Rafael Prieto-Curiel

When: Monday, February 9th 2026, 16:00, (4pm)
Where: Institute of Architecture and Media, IAM Media Lab, Kronesgasse 5/III (Loft)

Poster [x]

Cities are among the most complex systems we’ve ever built, shaped by countless interconnected components, that include people, infrastructure, services, and policies, which constantly influence one another. This talk will show how complexity science can be used to model key urban challenges, such as mobility and access to essential services. By treating cities as interconnected systems, the approach helps reveal patterns and feedback loops that can guide more informed planning decisions.

Rafael Prieto-Curiel is a Faculty Member at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, working on violence, mobility, migration, and urban dynamics. He works for the OECD and the World Bank, where he conducts spatial and demographic analyses of cities. He is also the Scientific Advisor of Aleph.