Toward a metropolitan “urbanity”: engineering and architecture in the teaching of urbanism

If a situation that aspires to improve city dwelling is contemplated, it is necessary for there to be a close link between the reflection and action of inter-disciplinary approaches in the city. Infrastructure as urban space and a communication network is nowadays one of the important issues to be addressed. The relationship between engineering and architecture - from the point of view of university teaching - has not yet been explored sufficiently. This paper details the fundamental reasons, the approaches, and the past experiences that are being developed as part of theoretical/practical subjects at the School of Civil Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona. This institution takes an inter-disciplinary approach that understands solutions to urban issues require new methodical approximations. These will consequently develop, both in the professional and academic fields, based on the theory applied and past urban experiences.