The Center for Research in Architecture and Urbanism (CIAU) conducts scientific and applied research in architecture, urbanism, and territory, addressing the analysis of art, design, and urban processes in Bolivia and the region, with emphasis on their evolution, impact, and contemporary relevance.

Research areas

• Architecture and art: studies on the theory, history, and evolution of architecture, art, and design in local and regional contexts.

• Habitat and housing: research on social housing, informal settlements, housing policies, and habitat dynamics, with emphasis on informal urban contexts.

• Urban planning and territory: analysis of urban processes, territorial planning, real estate markets, mobility, public space, and urban culture.

• Climate change and environment: studies in urban water management, energy efficiency, environmental comfort, bioarchitecture, and sustainable architecture.

• Paratransit and urban mobility: research on urban mobility and transport, with a focus on paratransit in Bolivia and comparative studies.

• Planning systems and urban policies: comparative studies of urban planning systems in Latin America and Europe.

• Urban Big Data and information systems: applied research in urban data analysis, with emphasis on mobility and transport through crowdsourcing.

Institutional approach

CIAU combines academic research, territorial analysis, and international cooperation to contribute to the understanding and improvement of contemporary urban and architectural environments.

Institutional profile

• Creation date: January 2010

• Rectoral Resolution: UPB-RR-001/2010