City Science Lab Gipuzkoa, a project led by MUBIL in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, is aimed at addressing the major urban challenges of sustainable mobility

The project is part of the City Science Initiative, an international network led by MIT with a presence in America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

• The tool enables analysis of access to over 80 strategic services using four modes of transport: on foot, by car, by bicycle, and by public transport.

• The model supports public decision-making by providing precise data, interactive visualisations, and urban simulation tools.

• Developed in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and Tecnun – University of Navarra, the project focuses on three main objectives: emission reduction, territorial cohesion, and economic development.

Donostia, 12 June 2025 – The new laboratory for the City Science Lab Gipuzkoa (CSL Gipuzkoa) project was presented today. This transformative initiative began in 2023 with the aim of positioning the Gipuzkoa region (Basque Country, Spain) at the forefront of smart urban planning. Led by MUBIL and the MIT Media Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), the project has been supported by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and Tecnun – University of Navarra.

The new laboratory features an interactive model that provides an intuitive visualisation of travel times to more than 80 essential services, including hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure, across four modes of transport: walking, driving, cycling, and public transport.

This visual and interactive environment not only facilitates understanding of current mobility but also serves as a powerful simulation tool to analyse potential interventions, assess their impact, and design more effective public policies tailored to the real needs of the community.

One vision: Gipuzkoa as a region accessible within 30 minutes

The project revolves around the concept of the “Gipuzkoa 30 Minute Region,” a strategic vision aiming to transform territorial planning through the intensive use of data, advanced visualisation, and digital simulations.

This initiative has been guided by three key pillars. The first focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions from daily journeys, aiming to make a proactive contribution to combating climate change.

Secondly, territorial cohesion, promoting a model in which all citizens, regardless of where they live, have equitable access to essential services.

And thirdly, economic stimulation, promoting the development of new enterprises and private initiatives focused on accessibility and mobility.

Academic projects developed around City Science Lab Gipuzkoa

The presentation featured General Deputy Eider Mendoza Larrañaga, Deputy for Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects Unai Andueza, MUBIL’s Managing Director Igor Villarreal, MIT City Science Director Kent Larson, MIT researcher and architecture PhD Luis Alonso, and CSL Gipuzkoa’s Scientific Director Zuriñe Varela.

The event also featured presentations from two visiting City Science Labs, Hamburg and Andorra, as well as academic projects developed around City Science Lab Gipuzkoa.

CSL Gipuzkoa has been part of the international City Science Initiative network since 2023, a platform led by the MIT Media Lab that promotes the development of innovative technological solutions to address the major urban challenges of today and tomorrow.

Gipuzkoa is the tenth operational laboratory in the global City Science network, which has centres across America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in cities such as Cambridge (USA), Hamburg, Shanghai, Toronto, Taipei, Andorra, and Guadalajara.

Read more