Program Overview

Diploma in Smart Cities: Urban Planning, Environment, and Social Sustainability

Introduction

The Diploma in Smart Cities: Urban Planning, Environment, and Social Sustainability is a comprehensive program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and develop smart cities. The program focuses on the application of technology to resolve common urban problems and improve the quality of life for citizens.

Program Details

• Duration: 108 hours
• Total Sessions: 36
• Description: The program explores the concept of smart cities, including the use of Technology and Information Communication (TIC) to improve services, transportation, and communication within cities.
• Target Audience: The program is designed for architects, geographers, urban planners, sociologists, journalists, and other professionals in the social sciences or related fields. It is also suitable for individuals responsible for innovation or smart city units in public or private institutions.

Requirements

• Admission Requirements: Professionals with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, geographic information systems, and Autocad are eligible to apply.
• Objectives: Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to apply tools and concepts related to smart cities, understand the functioning of different cities that execute efficiency and planning projects, and identify urban conflicts that can be addressed through smart city concepts.

Program Structure

Module 1: Intelligent Urban Planning

• Conceptualization of Smart Cities
• Basic Services in a Smart City
• TICs, Big Data, Blockchain, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision
• Technology Trends and Cities
• Urban Planning and Smart Cities
• Intelligent Architecture and Construction
• Workshop 1 & Evaluation: Data and City

Module 2: Smart Cities - Intelligent City and Social Sustainability

• Local Challenges in a Global Environment
• Governance and Urban Conflicts
• Citizen Empowerment Tools
• Technology and Society
• Urban and Regional Resilience
• Workshop 2 & Evaluation: Urban Governance

Module 3: Smart Cities - Intelligent City and Urban Environment

• Smart Cities and Global Projects
• Innovation and City
• Electromobility and Autonomous Mobility
• Cases of Green Smart Cities in Latin America
• Intelligent Recycling in Cities
• Intelligent Tourist Destinations and Smart Villages
• Workshop 3 & Evaluation: Smart City Projects for Chile

Methodology

The course will be developed through expository classes at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Chile, where students will be introduced to different technological topics related to smart cities. The classes will include discussions, roundtable sessions, and dynamic discursive activities. Guest speakers from various specialties will also participate, sharing their experiences and knowledge on different problems affecting cities.

Approval Requirements

• A written test will be administered at the end of each module, accounting for 100% of the final grade.
• Students must achieve a minimum score of 4 on a scale of 1 to 7 to pass.
• A rubric will be provided for evaluation, outlining the criteria and descriptions.

Academic Coordinator

• Pablo Pérez Leiva: Geographer, University of Chile. Professor and Coordinator of the Smart Cities Diploma - FAU - University of Chile.

Lecturers

• Ricardo Cornejo Daneri: Civil Engineer, Mention in Industrial Processes, University of Santiago de Chile.
• Juan Luis Torres Gálvez: Architect, University of Chile.
• Julio Covarrubia Castro: Geographer, University of Chile.
• Constanza Ulriksen Moretti: Sociologist, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
• Lluis Vidal Mut: Expert in Autonomous Mobility.
• Alvaro Gutiérrez González: Forestry Engineer, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Maule.
• Daniel Merege: CEO & Founder of Daoura Startup.
• Pedro Huichalaf Roa: Lawyer, University of Valparaíso.
• Rodrigo Caimanque: Assistant Professor - Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Chile.
• Mauricio Loyola: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Chile.
• Bernadette Califano: Doctor in Social Sciences and Bachelor in Communication Sciences, University of Buenos Aires.
• Alejandro Bravo Pasler: Diplomate in Smart Cities, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Chile.

Additional Information

• Value: $1,778,500 (consult for discounts)
• Date and Time: August 25, 2025, to January 12, 2026 - Mondays and Wednesdays, 19:00 hrs.
• Location: Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism - UChile (Online mode - via streaming)