Misk Art Institute has collaborated with the Royal College of Art, ranked the world's number one art and design university, to offer you a five-day masterclass focused on exploring and documenting the dynamic urban transformations of cities like Riyadh.

Participants will be guided by renowned experts in the field. They will investigate how social and cultural changes are reflected in the physical environment, gaining practical skills to document, analyze, and creatively interpret these changes using digital humanities tools.

You’ll gain:

1. A comprehensive understanding of urban change theories and practices
2. Practical skills in using digital tools for data collection and analysis
3. Experience with open-source data relevant to urban studies
4. Insights from experienced practitioners
5. The ability to create and present digital documentations reflecting socio-spatial changes

Who's it for?

Architects, artists, researchers, and anyone interested in digital humanities and the study of urban change.

Meet the instructors:

• Dr.-Ing Sam Jacoby

Dr. Jacoby is a professor of Architectural and Urban Design Research, Research Lead of the School of Architecture, and Director of the Laboratory for Design and Machine Learning at the RCA. He has considerable experience in research leadership and oversees the research strategy and management across the School.

• Dr. Adrian Lahoud

The Dean of the School of Architecture, Dr. Lahoud is a Board Member of the Design Museum Future Observatory and New Architecture Writers. He also served as the Convenor and Co-chair of the Rights of Future Generations Working Group.

• Dr. Seyithan Özer

Dr.Özer is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Architecture. His research primarily explores the development and organization of design knowledge related to housing and the built environment.

Topics Covered:

1. Digital Humanities in the Study of Urban Change

1. Key theories and concepts in urban studies.
2. Introduction to digital humanities and its applications.

2. Digital Practices and Methods

1. Overview of digital mapping tools, including photogrammetry and digital twins.
2. Hands-on training in digital mapping techniques.

3. Open-Source Data

1. Types of open-source data for urban studies.
2. Practical sessions on data collection and analysis.

4. Field Data Collection

1. On-site mapping and real-time data gathering using digital tools.

5. Urban Documentation

1. Compilation and analysis of collected data.
2. Creative interpretation and presentation of socio-spatial changes.

Note: Participants must bring mobile phones and laptops to the class.