Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most appropriate education for applicants to the doctoral programme in Sustainability to have will soon include bachelor’s studies in the sciences and technologies and master’s studies in Sustainability Science and Technology, the current master’s programme in Sustainability or another master’s programme in the same scientific field. In addition to having this educational background, certain personal characteristics are considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical skills, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team, and having suitable oral and written communication skills.

The normal admission pathway to this doctoral programme is completion of the master’s programme in Sustainability or the master’s programme in Sustainability Science and Technology, in these cases, no bridging courses will be required. The appropriateness of applicants with other master’s degrees will be assessed by the Academic Committee, who will, if necessary, define the bridging courses that must be completed.
Thus, holders of degrees in the following subject matters may be admitted into the doctoral programme in Sustainability:
• Any of the fields of engineering, architecture or construction.
• Any of the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• Any of the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography.
• A higher engineering degree (pre-EHEA).
• An architecture degree (pre- EHEA).
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography in addition to a master’s degree in any area of engineering.

Output profile

Doctoral candidates who complete a doctoral degree will have acquired the following competencies, which are needed to carry out quality research (Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies):

a) A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
b) An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
c) An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
d) A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
e) An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.
f) An ability to foster scientific, technological, social, artistic and cultural progress in academic and professional contexts within a knowledge-based society.

The award of a doctoral degree must equip the graduate for work in a variety of settings, especially those requiring creativity and innovation. Doctoral graduates must have at least acquired the personal skills needed to:

a) Develop in contexts in which there is little specific information.
b) Find the key questions that must be answered to solve a complex problem.
c) Design, create, develop and undertake original, innovative projects in their field.
d) Work as part of a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary context.
e) Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgements with limited information.
f) Offer criticism on and intellectually defend solutions.

Finally, with respect to competencies, doctoral students must:
a) have acquired advanced knowledge at the frontier of their discipline and demonstrated, in the context of internationally recognised scientific research, a deep, detailed and well-grounded understanding of theoretical and practical issues and scientific methodology in one or more research fields;
b) have made an original and significant contribution to scientific research in their field of expertise that has been recognised as such by the international scientific community;
c) have demonstrated that they are capable of designing a research project that serves as a framework for carrying out a critical analysis and assessment of imprecise situations, in which they are able to apply their contributions, expertise and working method to synthesise new and complex ideas that yield a deeper knowledge of the research context in which they work;
d) have developed sufficient autonomy to set up, manage and lead innovative research teams and projects and scientific collaborations (both national and international) within their subject area, in multidisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a substantial element of knowledge transfer;
e) have demonstrated that they are able to carry out their research activity in a socially responsible manner and with scientific integrity;
f) have demonstrated, within their specific scientific context, that they are able to make cultural, social or technological advances and promote innovation in all areas within a knowledge-based society;
g) have demonstrated that they are able to participate in scientific discussions at the international level in their field of expertise and disseminate the results of their research activity to audiences of all kinds.

Number of places

10

Duration of studies and dedication regime

Duration
The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is three years, counted from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. The academic committee of the doctoral programme may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is five years, counting from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. For calculating these periods, the date of admission is considered to be the date of the first enrolment for tutorials, and the date of submission the moment in which the Doctoral School officially deposits the doctoral thesis.

For full-time doctoral candidates, the minimum period of study is two years, counted from the date of an applicant's admission to the programme until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited; for part-time doctoral candidates it is four years. When there are justified grounds for doing so, and the thesis supervisor and academic tutor have given their authorisation, doctoral candidates may request that the academic committee of their doctoral programme exempt them from the minimum period of study requirement.

The calculation of periods of study will not include periods of absence due to illness, pregnancy or any other reason provided for in the regulations in force. Students who find themselves in any of these circumstances must notify the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which, where appropriate, must inform the Doctoral School. Doctoral candidates may also temporarily withdraw from the programme for up to one year, and this period may be extended for an additional year. Doctoral candidates who wish to interrupt their studies must submit a justified request to the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which will decide whether or not to approve the request. Each programme will establish conditions for readmission to doctoral studies.

Extension
If full-time doctoral candidates have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year. In exceptional circumstances, a further one-year extension may be granted, subject to the conditions established by the corresponding doctoral programme. In the case of part-time doctoral candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

Dismissal from the doctoral programme
A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

Organization

• Rosas Casals, Marti

• Aranda Gimo, Silvia
• Etxeberria Larrañaga, Miren
• Mehaba, Wafa
• Pujadas Alvarez, Pablo
• Rosas Casals, Marti
• Segalas Coral, Jordi
• Villares Junyent, Miriam

• University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (PROMOTORA)

Office 202 – Building C2 (North Campus)
Tel.: 934 017 094
E-mail: doctorat.sos.camins@upc.edu

Access profile

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. The most appropriate education for applicants to the doctoral programme in Sustainability to have will soon include bachelor’s studies in the sciences and technologies and master’s studies in Sustainability Science and Technology, the current master’s programme in Sustainability or another master’s programme in the same scientific field. In addition to having this educational background, certain personal characteristics are considered important, such as interest in the research projects being carried out in the programme, critical and analytical skills, having initiative, being consistent and persistent with work, being able to work in a team, and having suitable oral and written communication skills.

The normal admission pathway to this doctoral programme is completion of the master’s programme in Sustainability or the master’s programme in Sustainability Science and Technology, in these cases, no bridging courses will be required. The appropriateness of applicants with other master’s degrees will be assessed by the Academic Committee, who will, if necessary, define the bridging courses that must be completed.
Thus, holders of degrees in the following subject matters may be admitted into the doctoral programme in Sustainability:
• Any of the fields of engineering, architecture or construction.
• Any of the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• Any of the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography.
• A higher engineering degree (pre-EHEA).
• An architecture degree (pre- EHEA).
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the natural sciences or mathematics.
• A licentiate degree (pre- EHEA) in the fields of the social sciences, economics or geography in addition to a master’s degree in any area of engineering.

Access requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February)

In addition, the following may apply:

• Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
• Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
• Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
• Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
• Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.

Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

Note 2: Governing Council Decision 64/2014, which approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the fulfilment of academic admission requirements for doctoral studies by holders of non-homologated foreign degrees (CG 25/03 2014)

Admission criteria and merits assessment

With regard to the doctoral programme in Sustainability, the selection and admission of candidates is the responsibility of the programme’s academic committee.

 • Candidate’s CV, motivation for research work and references provided (50%).
• The availability of a grant or funding to complete a thesis (40%).

The following will also be considered:
• Grades earned in previous degree programmes. Average grade on the academic transcripts that enable admission to the doctoral programme (4%).
• Level of English. Knowledge of other languages will also be considered favourably (4%).
• Interview with the candidate (if the Committee finds it necessary) (2%).

Training complements

The academic committee for the programme may require that doctoral students pass specific bridging courses. In this case, the Committee will monitor the bridging courses and set up appropriate criteria to limit their length.

The courses shall involve training in research, but in no case will candidates be required to enrol in 60 or more ECTS credits (as per the academic regulations for doctoral studies, bridging courses could also include transversal education, but this is likely to be changed to include only research-related credits, especially in cases of 300-ECTS-credit doctoral programmes).

Depending on the doctoral student activity report, the programme’s Academic Committee may propose measures, in addition to those established by current regulations, that would disassociate candidates who do not meet the established requisites.

In the doctoral programme in Sustainability, applicants who have graduated from associated master’s programmes (i.e., the master’s programmes in Sustainability Science and Technology, and in Technology for Human Development and Cooperation, both offered by the UPC) will not be required to take bridging courses.

In this doctoral programme, student-specific supplementary requisites for methodological of scientific training may be defined by the academic committee when a candidate is admitted, depending on his/her background. This additional coursework shall pertain to subjects taught in the master’s programmes associated with this doctoral programme (the master’s programmes in Sustainability Science and Technology, and in Technology for Human Development and Cooperation, both offered by the UPC).

Thesis supervisors, based on their observations of candidates’ shortcomings, or the need for additional training in one or more areas pertaining to doctoral theses, may require candidates to complete specific training. This training will take place in the form of attending specialised courses, seminars, workshops or completing stays in research centres that allow candidates to complete their training in specific aspects related to their theses.

The time limit for completing this additional training and bridging courses is one and a half years (18 months), if the completion of said courses is required by the programme’s Academic Committee as a condition for the candidate’s admittance. The Committee may remove students who have not completed the required bridging courses within 18 months.

Given that there is no specific profile that grants access to the doctoral programme in Sustainability, bridging courses, if necessary, will be selected from the master’s degree programmes that depend on the UPC’s Sustainability Institute.

Enrolment period for new doctoral students

Ordinary enrolment: September-October.

Special enrolment: February.

More information at the registration section for new doctoral students

Enrolment period

Ordinary enrolment: September-October.

More information at the general registration section

Procedure for the preparation and defense of the research plan

Doctoral candidates must submit a research plan, which will be included in their doctoral student activity report, before the end of the first year. The plan may be improved over the course of the doctoral degree. It must be endorsed by the tutor and the supervisor, and it must include the method that is to be followed and the aims of the research.

At least one of these annual assessments will include a public presentation and defence of the research plan and work done before a committee composed of three doctoral degree holders, which will be conducted in the manner determined by each academic committee. The examination committee awards a Pass or Fail mark. A Pass mark is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Doctoral candidates awarded a Fail mark must submit a new research plan for assessment by the academic committee of the doctoral programme within six months.

The committee assesses the research plan every year, in addition to all of the other activities in the doctoral student activity report. Doctoral candidates who are awarded two consecutive Fail marks for the research plan will be obliged to definitely withdraw from the programme.

If they change the subject of their thesis, they must submit a new research plan.

Formation activities

Activity: tutorial.
Hours: 288.

Activity: Training in information skills.
Hours: 1.5.
Type: optional.

Activity: Research methodology.
Hours: 12.
Type: optional.

Activity: Innovation and creativity.
Hours: 8.
Type: optional.

Activity: Language and communication skills.
Hours: 18.
Type: optional.

Activity: Courses and seminars.
Hours: 16.
Type: optional.

Activity: Workshops.
Hours: 20.
Type: optional.

Activity: Publications.
Hours: 280.
Type: optional.

Procedure for assignment of tutor and thesis director

The academic committee of the doctoral programme assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time, taking account of the thesis supervision commitment referred to in the admission decision.

The thesis supervisor will ensure that training activities carried out by the doctoral candidate are coherent and suitable, and that the topic of the candidate’s doctoral thesis will have an impact and make a novel contribution to knowledge in the relevant field. The thesis supervisor will also guide the doctoral candidate in planning the thesis and, if necessary, tailoring it to any other projects or activities undertaken. The thesis supervisor will generally be a UPC professor or researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience. This includes PhD-holding staff at associated schools (as determined by the Governing Council) and UPC-affiliated research institutes (in accordance with corresponding collaboration and affiliation agreements). When thesis supervisors are UPC staff members, they also act as the doctoral candidate’s tutor.

PhD holders who do not meet these criteria (as a result of their contractual relationship or the nature of the institution to which they are attached) must be approved by the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee in order to participate in a doctoral programme as researchers with documented research experience.

The academic committee of the doctoral programme may approve the appointment of a PhD-holding expert who is not a UPC staff member as a candidate’s thesis supervisor. In such cases, the prior authorisation of the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee is required. A UPC staff member who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience must also be proposed to act as a co-supervisor, or as the doctoral candidate’s tutor if one has not been assigned.

A thesis supervisor may step down from this role if there are justified reasons (recognised as valid by the committee) for doing so. If this occurs, the academic committee of the doctoral programme will assign the doctoral candidate a new thesis supervisor.

Provided there are justified reasons for doing so, and after hearing any relevant input from the doctoral candidate, the academic committee of the doctoral programme may assign a new thesis supervisor at any time during the period of doctoral study.

If there are academic reasons for doing so (an interdisciplinary topic, joint or international programmes, etc.) and the academic committee of the programme gives its approval, an additional thesis supervisor may be assigned. Supervisors and co-supervisors have the same responsibilities and academic recognition.

The maximum number of supervisors of a doctoral thesis is two: a supervisor and a co-supervisor.

For theses carried out under a cotutelle agreement or as part of an Industrial Doctorate, if necessary and if the agreement foresees it this maximum number of supervisors may not apply. This notwithstanding, the maximum number of supervisors belonging to the UPC is two.

More information at the PhD theses section

Permanence

The academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year for full-time doctoral candidates who have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, in the terms outlined in the Academic Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In the case of part-time candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

International Mention

The doctoral degree certificate may include International Doctorate mention. In this case, the doctoral candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) During the period of study leading to the award of the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate must have spent at least three months at a respected higher education institution or research centre outside Spain to complete courses or do research work. The stays and activities carried out must be endorsed by the thesis supervisor and authorised by the academic committee of the programme. The candidate must provide a certifying document issued by the person responsible for the research group of the body or bodies where the stay or activity was completed. This information will be added to the doctoral student’s activity report.
b) Part of the thesis (at least the summary and conclusions) must be written and presented in one of the languages commonly used for science communication in the relevant field of knowledge, which must not be an official language of Spain. This rule does not apply to stays and reports in Spanish or to experts from Spanish-speaking countries.
c) At least two PhD-holding experts belonging to a higher education institution or research centre outside Spain must have issued officially certified reports on the thesis.
d) The thesis examination committee must have included at least one PhD-holding expert from a higher education or research institution outside Spain who was not responsible for the candidate’s stay abroad (point a) above).
e) The thesis defence must have taken place on UPC premises or, in the case of joint programmes, at the location specified in the collaboration agreement.

List of authorized thesis for defense

• MARCILLO DELGADO, JUAN CARLOS: Marco de referencia para la planificación y desarrollo continuo de la comunicación de riesgos y crisis frente a amenazas en Sudamérica
  
  Author: MARCILLO DELGADO, JUAN CARLOS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 15/09/2023
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: ÁLVAREZ GARCÍA, ALICIA | GARCIA CARRILLO, AGUEDA
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: GUERRA DE CASTILLO, ZOILA YADIRA
       SECRETARI: PORCAR BECKER, INGEBORG
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: RODAS HERNÁNDEZ, OSCAR ROLANDO
  Thesis abstract: Research on risk communication and crisis communication (RC&C) is a crucial aspect to foster population resilience in the face of major hazards, especially in developing economies where there are greater social vulnerabilities. The objective of this doctoral thesis is to propose a framework to guide the planning and ongoing development of CR&C strategies in South America. The methodological framework, based on data mining, involves the use of different textual mining techniques, according to the structure of each of the data, which make it possible to visualize the relationships between textual objects; classify the objects of interest; carry out comparative analyses at the country level; and study CR&C trends. The units of analysis focus on different types of textual data such as documents associated with risk and crisis management planning, scientific publications, communiqués issued via tweets, and information from the Regional Logistics Center for Humanitarian Assistance that is located in Panama in the period 2017-2021. It identifies the main CR&C and Risk and Crisis Management (RC&C) strategies that South American RC&C Services should consider in order to make their communications more effective throughout the crisis cycle. Strengths and weaknesses of the analyzed countries' planning on these strategies are identified. The influence of economic, political, social, demographic, technical and disaster risk factors on the development of CR&C and GR&C strategies is identified. The analysis of different GR&C documents allows differentiating five minimum components of CR&C in South America: i) early communication planning; ii) information and communication system planning; iii) quality management of communication and communicators; iv) risk and crisis awareness; and v) stakeholder consolidation. The bibliometric mapping of 330 scientific publications differentiates five clusters for CR&C in South America: i) factors for risk communication in vulnerable areas; ii) factors for health and crisis communication; iii) elements for communication of human and environmental exposure to contaminants; iv) management of the continuity and quality of communication, v) factors that enhance communication. It is identified that most of the factors revealed through the bibliometric analysis are aimed at strengthening communication systems and increasing risk awareness of vulnerable people. The analysis of 40,082 official tweets from the Ministries of Health of eight South American countries during COVID-19 identified 18 communication topics associated with: i) communication of the impact and monitoring of the threat; ii) communication of measures to reduce the risk of the threat; iii) visibility of the multidimensional nature of the problem; iv) communication of the capacity of the health system to deal with threats; and v) communication of mechanisms to strengthen vulnerable groups in the face of threats. The above results allow proposing a framework of strategies for disaster risk and humanitarian crisis communication in South America. This doctoral thesis contributes to: i) understand the factors affecting the development of CR&C; ii) recognize the efforts envisaged by regional policy; iii) analyze the advantages and disadvantages of CR&C planning at the country level; iv) verify the conformity of planning with contemporary international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Risk and Disaster Reduction 2015-2030; v) generate knowledge for decision making; and vi) serve as input to accelerate the implementation of strategies in the context of risk and crisis management (R&CM).
  
• NARANJO SILVA, HÉCTOR SEBASTIÁN: Análisis de la producción hidroeléctrica en base a las implicaciones en la sostenibilidad energética
  
  Author: NARANJO SILVA, HÉCTOR SEBASTIÁN
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 13/09/2023
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: ALVAREZ DEL CASTILLO, JAVIER
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: TOLLIN, NICOLA
       SECRETARI: MORATO FARRERAS, JORDI
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: RÍOS OSORIO, LEONARDO ALBERTO
  Thesis abstract: Technical, ecological, territorial, and cultural transformations at various levels and spaces of society where hydroelectric projects exist often involve conflicts, new knowledge regimes, different local practices, global mitigation frameworks, and water resource management. Therefore, the fact that hydroelectricity does not rely on fossil fuels should not imply the absence of adverse environmental effects. In fact, its development and construction require dams, concrete infrastructure, road openings, water channels, transmission power towers, and other facilities that are not new, but they do possess specific characteristics, benefits, and disadvantages.Globally, hydroenergy production presents a macro view of advantages, but little is discussed about the disadvantages and issues that arise from the construction of these structures and their surrounding systems. This research aimed to analyze hydroelectric production based on implications for energy sustainability. Through an analytical-experimental methodology with a quantitative approach, several axes were investigated.In the analysis, the thesis first involved visits to various hydroelectric projects in Ecuador, mainly, and adjacent communities to verify the environment, infrastructure, operation, collect water samples, and gather information through surveys of people living in these areas. These activities provided research elements and data on the changes contrasted since the construction of hydropower plants.Additionally, the research conducted 183 surveys to gather information and perspectives from communities near Ecuador's largest project, collected 10 water samples for physicochemical water analysis in five hydropower projects, established a relationship between hydroelectric production and technical, social, and environmental variables, and developed a connection between hydroelectricity and sustainability.The research concludes that hydroelectric energy presents itself as a renewable technology that provides benefits such as water supply to communities, flood control, greenhouse gas reduction, and clean energy as a low-carbon option. However, emerging problems exist due to unregulated exploitation and large-scale infrastructure with dams that alter the environment, making this source not entirely sustainable.Furthermore, there are parameters that impact hydroelectricity; socially, changes in customs and movements of people from their places of origin were observed; environmentally, parameters include changes in water quality, wildlife death, reduction in river fish populations, erosion, and seasonal changes; technically, parameters such as water usage for generation, construction type, and water variations that reduce plant efficiency were verified.It is conclusive that there are hidden impacts for every megawatt produced through hydroelectricity, and its generation structure is not highly clean due to the significant water resource requirement per kWh. However, hydroelectricity significantly contributes to climate change mitigation compared to fossil fuel energy production, but the availability of water resources varies, altering ecosystems and requiring careful attention due to the hidden, often intangible costs such as environmental, social, and technical parameters that occur.
  

Last update: 04/10/2023 04:45:29.

List of lodged theses

• CORTES DUARTE, MARIA CAROLINA: RELACION ENTRE ESTRATIFICACIÓN SOCIOECONÓMICA Y EXPOSICIÓN AL MATERIAL PARTICULADO (MP10 Y MP2.5) EN EL AREA URBANA DE BOGOTÁ (COLOMBIA)
  
  Author: CORTES DUARTE, MARIA CAROLINA
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 29/09/2023
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: CREMADES OLIVER, LAZARO VICENTE | GÓMEZ YEPES, MILENA ELIZABETH
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: TEJADA TEJADA, MACARENA
       SECRETARI: AMANTE GARCIA, BEATRIZ
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: YEZID ROJAS, NÉSTOR
  Thesis abstract: Environmental inequality metrics require complex analyses between social, economic and environmental variables at different scales. The current research develops metrics within this framework to determine correlations between socio-environmental position and air quality in highly densified areas, focusing on the urban environment of the city of Bogota, Colombia (South America). In addition to the variables related to public health, there are other variables that have also been proposed to measure environmental inequality, such as population density by UPZ, population of working age, health institutions, active pensioners, per capita income, companies created, demography of the victim population by locality, food voucher, total enrollment in official schools and finally, rate of school dropout in official schools, increasing the contributions to the concept of environmental justice framework. .During the research, tools were provided to build a methodological proposal that promotes the well-being and life quality of Bogota residents, integrating socio-environmental factors to the current socioeconomic status, among them, exposure to particulate matter.
  
• RAMÍREZ SANTOS, ANA GLADYS: Las transiciones agroecológicas justas en los sistemas agroalimentarios: analizando el género y los conocimientos tradicionales
  
  Author: RAMÍREZ SANTOS, ANA GLADYS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Deposit date: 02/10/2023
  Reading date: pending
  Reading time: pending
  Reading place: pending
  Thesis director: MORATO FARRERAS, JORDI | RIVERA FERRE, MARTA GUADALUPE
  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: CALVET-MIR, LAURA
       SECRETARI: ALVAREZ DEL CASTILLO, JAVIER
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: LÓPEZ-GARCÍA, DANIEL
  Thesis abstract: This doctoral research develops the issue of just agroecological transitions in the food system and develops two case studies in the Global North and Global South. Based on the framework developed to analyze sustainable transitions, i.e., the theoretical framework of the multilevel perspective (MLP) is considered one of the most widely used frameworks of analysis to understand the multidimensional complexity of transitions. Transitions in MLP are defined as the change from one Regime to another, and as the result of the interaction of three levels of action: Niche-Regime-Landscape. Based on this approach, works have been developed on the analysis of how the change promoted by transitions from one system to another can generate profound social change and at the same time new social and environmental injustices and vulnerabilities. Also, based on the MLP the groecological transitions approach is developed, offering an integration of knowledge, combining science, movement, and practice to achieve sustainable, equitable and just food systems. In both theoretical proposals, elements for analysis converge in relation to traditional agroecological knowledge (epistemic justice) and gender approaches (gender justice). In the case of this doctoral dissertation research, we consider the epistemic justice and gender justice two elements indispensable and fundamental to integrate in the analysis of the processes aimed at transforming food systems towards more sustainable, healthy, and just ones. In addition, in order to understand and identify how the dynamics between gender and traditional agroecological knowledge have been explored, the critical elements that influence the adaptation, modification and transmission of knowledge, and to make visible the different experiences that men and women have within agri-food systems through a gender lens, a literature review is developed presenting diverse case studies at the Global level. Finally, based on the theoretical perspective of MLP, just transitions and agroecological transitions, two case studies are addressed. The first one located in Santa Isabel Cholula, Puebla, Mexico, Global South, where the main challenges and enablers of a just agroecological transition within the agrofood systems are explored. Also, we identify the traditional knowledge and its characteristics according to gender. The second case study is located in the city of Barcelona, Global North, where it is explored how the Niches-Regime-Landscape of the city interact for the transformation of the food system, as well as the way in which the gender perspective, knowledge and feminism are addressed within the actions between the Niches and the Regime. Key words: Food, system, Sustainable agrifood systems, sustainable transition, agroecological transition, just transition, traditional agroecological knowledge, epistemic justice, gender justice, feminism.
  

Last update: 04/10/2023 04:30:30.

List of defended theses by year

• ANGERRI TORREDEFLOT, XAVIER: Metodologia integral de perfilat ràpid intel·ligent i interpretable pel suport a la presa de decisions complexes (MIPRI2D). Aplicacions a Sostenibilitat
  
  Author: ANGERRI TORREDEFLOT, XAVIER
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 25/07/2023
  Thesis director: GIBERT OLIVERAS, CARINA
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: VALLS MATEU, AÏDA
       SECRETARI: SANCHEZ MARRE, MIQUEL
       VOCAL: MARTI PUIG, PERE
  Thesis abstract: Living in the era of big data and artificiall intelligence this thesis wants to contribute with a new methodology to support data-driven decisions rapidly after data collection, and a technological infrastructure for participatory processess in the data collection step.Thus the main goal is ¿Define a rapid methodology for making diagnoses in complex domains (territorial or not) based on profiling techniques, incorporating the use of clustering and TLP based on thermometers as key parts of a new explainable Artificial Intelligence methodology and oriented to support complex and strategic decisions¿. To achieve it, MIPRI2D has been developed thanks to several contributions. INSESS consultation is the main instrument in MIPRI2D. In it, non-temporal questionnaires are created to obtain information from some timestamps disregarding when the citizen answer the questionnaire. The methodology can deal with heterogeneous databases involving many types of variables, including multiple response, compositional or temporal variables and new variable types more complex and expressive proposed in this thesis likeGrid variables, Temporal Qualified Variables (TQQ) or Temporal Basic Variables (TBV). A Conceptual model for metainformation (MdM) is proposed, so that MIPRI2D can deal with any kind of questionnaire, provided that the variables are properly defined in the metainformation model. This allows an automatic processing of preprocessing and data mining methods that transforms data in valuable added information. The descriptive analysis proposed in MIPRI2D goes beyond the state of the art by proposing new tools to describe the new type of variables introduced in the thesis.The data acquisition process proposed and the automatic generation of a finalist descriptive analisys is a powerfull tool to support basic policy-making in front of disruptive situations where systemic data is non available. A contribution on the calculation of the estimation statistical error is proposed, so that statistical secrecy keeps preserved and risk of redidentification reduced. New types of derived variables named 2nd and 3rd generation variables enriches the dataset and improves clustering and profiling results. This thesis also tackles the challenge of getting coherent clusters when data has a territorial component and presents a new methodology to identify the better representative variables (TFSM) among a set of topics, such that both coherence and interpretability of clustering results is preserved from a geographical point of view. The proposal includes the introduction of the Thermometer, a new knowledge acquisition tool used to introduce the semantics of the variables in the the Traffic Light Panels (TLP) improving the interpretability of the clustering results. The proposal contributes to find clusters on datasets describing several topics, by providing interpretable results with geographical consistency. The present proposal opens the door to get interpretable results of clustering multitopic unbalanced data linked to a territorial structure. In this thesis there are 2 types of results, theorical ones and applied. The main theoretical result are encompassed in the several steps of MIPRI2D contribution. MIPRI2D is a genèric methodology suitable for any topic and application domain. The practical results are the aplication of the thesis proposal to 4 real use cases where it was used for different kinds of private/public consultations proving the flexibility and versatility of the proposal. The methodology is tested and validated in the context of the INSESS-COVID19 project, where territorial groups of vulnerable population were discovered, interpreted and reported in less than 15 days after data collection closure. Also, successfull Applications to Digital Transformation in Third Sector entities, NGO and electric consumption data have been obtained as well.
  

• BORGES MARTINS, PATRÍCIA ALEXANDRA: Modelització energètica d¿edificis a escala urbana a Andorra. Reducció dels desajustos dels models mitjançant dades de consum d'energia desagregades.
  
  Author: BORGES MARTINS, PATRÍCIA ALEXANDRA
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 16/06/2023
  Thesis director: PAGES RAMON, ANNA | TRAVESSET BARÓ, ORIOL
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: ROGORA, ALESSANDRO
       SECRETARI: CUCHÍ BURGOS, ALBERTO
       VOCAL: GALOBARDES REYES, ISAAC
  Thesis abstract: The building sector has nowadays become a key point for policies and strategies to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The significant and unprecedented urban expansion that occurred in recent years and that is still ongoing today, combined with the high energy consumption that characterises the construction sector and the longevity of buildings built before the appearance of energy regulations, are some of the reasons that have put the building sector in the spotlight in order to achieve the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.To significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions, in both existing and new buildings, and thus achieve climate goals, municipalities need a better understanding not only of the current energy performance of buildings, but also the future impact that could have energy retrofit programs and changes in the energy supply infrastructure. In this sense, bottom-up urban building energy models, known as UBEM, are considered as one of the most promising tools in the field of urban simulation, as they are able to incorporate different data sets related to the building stock as well as the external factors affecting it. Unfortunately, the discrepancies between UBEM results and real energy consumption data are an obstacle to their widespread use in political decision-making. Reducing these discrepancies is one of the main challenges in this area of research. While most of the research carried out for this purpose points to the calibration of UBEM as the solution to this discrepancy, few studies address the issue of the building stock fragmentation, necessary to implement energy models at the urban scale.With the aim of reducing the mismatches between the UBEM and buildings¿ metered energy consumption, the backbone of this thesis consists in the definition of a new methodology for building stocks fragmentation in order to obtain representative archetypes of the heterogeneity and energy diversity of the buildings using disaggregated energy consumption data. In order to evaluate its validity, this methodology has been implemented in a UBEM of residential buildings in the municipality of Escaldes-Engordany, in the Principality of Andorra. The results obtained are compared with those of the more common fragmentation approach, the deterministic fragmentation, and show that the proposed methodology better represents the building stock energy reality.This thesis contributes to the effective energy transition of the building sector through the development of decision support tools. In addition to the study of this new methodology, a series of specific contributions useful for Escaldes-Engordany and, more broadly for the Principality of Andorra, have been generated during the course of this thesis. Among these, the implemented UBEM stands out as the first urban-scale model in Andorra on which to evaluate the potential of the energy saving measures to be implemented in the construction sector.
  

• MALEKI, BAHAREH: MCDM Approach for Sustainability Assessment of High-Rise Residential Buildings
  
  Author: MALEKI, BAHAREH
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 15/09/2023
  Thesis director: DE LA FUENTE ANTEQUERA, ALBERTO | CASANOVAS RUBIO, MARIA DEL MAR
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: TSAVDARIDIS, KONSTANTINOS DANIEL
       SECRETARI: PUJADAS ÁLVAREZ, PABLO
       VOCAL: BLANCO ÁLVAREZ, ANA
  Thesis abstract: The construction of high-rise buildings has become a necessity due to limited land availability, population growth, and the demand for urban development. However, the cultural background and diverse needs of residents should be considered in the design process. Previous research has shown that the social dimension of sustainability has often been overlooked compared to economic and environmental factors.This thesis introduces a comprehensive approach to assessing the sustainability indicators of high-rise residential buildings. The approach includes environmental, economic, and social requirements, along with 8 criteria and 14 indicators. The Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment (MIVES) is utilized as a multi-criteria decision-making model in this research. The MIVES model incorporates sustainability requirements and employs value functions as an assessment tool.Nine case studies in Dubai and two in London were evaluated using the MIVES model. Dubai case studies were assessed based on 14 indicators, while London case studies were assessed based on 16 indicators, encompassing the three dimensions of sustainability. The sustainability index (SI) was calculated, resulting in a range of 0.29 ¿ SI ¿ 0.62 for Dubai buildings and 0.70 ¿ SI ¿ 0.75 for London buildings.The findings indicate that the modular construction approach adopted in London allowed for a more comprehensive sustainability assessment, leading to higher sustainability index scores. Both London case studies were also evaluated using the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), achieving excellent sustainability ratings ranging from 70% to 84%. The SI results for the Ten Degree Croydon case study were 0.75, and for Apex House, the SI was 0.70, further validating the MIVES model.The MIVES model has facilitated the identification of strengths and weaknesses in high-rise residential buildings and the effectiveness of design parameters for future similar projects. The model enables comparison and prioritization of alternative solutions while minimizing subjectivity in decision-making. The approach aims to inform the best decisions regarding sustainability aspects in the design of high-rise buildings and can be applied in various regions, taking into account local regulations.The focus of this thesis is on the evaluation of HRBs and as there is a fundamental difference in the definition of tall buildings.The main objective of this thesis is to develop a method for analysing the sustainability of HRBs that allows considering the three dimensions of sustainability. In this regard and according to the abovementioned, research about the design and construction of HRB have shown that environmental and economic aspects have been given more focus than the social aspect of sustainability. The specific objectives of this research are as follows:¿ To carry out a comprehensive research on the existing sustainability assessment methods. ¿ To identify sustainability assessment method which can be applied to HRBs.¿ To identify relevant indicators of sustainability for HRBs in order to quantify indicators, which will help, establish MIVES based model. ¿ To make comparison and to use the most suitable design and construction method for other projects in the future.In order to achieve the specific objective, it is necessary to have a methodology as below:¿ To analyze the multi-criteria decision-making approach based on the most appropriate method in the design and construction of HRBs. ¿ The specific characteristics of the methodology.¿ To identify a decision-making tree which involves the requirements, criteria and indicators with relative assigned weights. ¿ To select the method of assigning weights, which is considered most appropriate for the case studies.¿ To establish indicators based on the reviews of the relevant technical guides, publications considering legislations in Dubai and in London.
  

• SÁEZ UJAQUE, DIEGO: Resiliencia y Panarquía en los procesos de regeneración de la ciudad postindustrial. Una aproximación a las dinámicas urbanas a través del caso de Mataró (Barcelona)
  
  Author: SÁEZ UJAQUE, DIEGO
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SUSTAINABILITY
  Department: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology (IS.UPC)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Reading date: 17/03/2023
  Thesis director: FUERTES PEREZ, PERE | GARCIA ALMIRALL, MARIA PILAR
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: RUIZ SÁNCHEZ, JAVIER
       SECRETARI: ROSAS CASALS, MARTI
       VOCAL: FAVA, NADIA
  Thesis abstract: This research deepens in the knowledge of the processes and changing dynamics of cities from the perspective of their resilience. The thesis proposes as object the processes of regeneration and transformation of former industrial environments of Mataró as a case study. According to its complex and adaptive nature of the urban system, the heuristics of Socio-ecological Resilience, Adaptive Cycle and Panarchy provide a conceptual and analytical framework that allows us to approach the dynamic and changing functioning of built environments. Thus, feedback processes, spatial and temporal interaction of subsystems, non-linearity of events, emergence, innovation and self-organization appear as key factors of urban processes. From the results, we assimilate the transformation process of the old industrial sectors with the Adaptive Cycle identifying, in addition, the traps (Traps) and ailments (Ailments) that appear in each of them and the different response capacity of the urban system at different scales. Thus, in Article 1 the void is the symptom of the friction between the rigidity of urban planning and the changing urban reality. Article 2 shows the capacity of socially based processes to dynamize industrial environments through interaction with the rest of the subsystems of the urban system. In this sense, the social subsystem appears, at the same time, as a sink (Remember) and trigger (Revolt) of urban dynamics, taking advantage of windows of opportunity through innovation and learning. Finally, in article 3 we characterize the (disused) built stock as a reservoir of latent urban resilience at the architectural scale. A pantry of adaptive capacity (potential) that is released from the interaction with social demand (performance) through the formal and functional adaptation of spaces and as a result of the analysis of this process of socio-spatial interpretation.
  

Last update: 04/10/2023 05:01:11.

Research groups

• AIEM-Architecture, energy and environment
• ATEM-Structural and Materials Technology
• CAP-High Performace Computing Group
• CEBIM-Molecular Biotechnology Centre
• CELBIOTECH-Research Group: Paper Engineering
• CNDS-Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
• COSDA-UPC-COmpositional and Spatial Data Analysis
• CRAAX-Advanced Network Architectures Lab
• CREDA-Centre for Agrifood Economics and Development
• CRnE-Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering
• EC-Construction Engineering
• EPIC-Energy Processing and Integrated Circuits
• EScGD-Engineering Sciences and Global Development
• GICITED-Interdisciplinary Group on Building Scienceand and Technology
• GIIP-Project Design, Sustainability and Communication Research Group
• GREENTECH-Green Technologies Research Group
• GRHCT-Group of Research on History of Science and Technology
• GRIC-Group of Construction Research and Innovation
• HABITAR-Research Group
• IMP-Information Modelling and Processing
• InSup-Surface Interaction in Bioengineering and Materials Science Research Group
• LESEC-Laboratori d'Estudis Socials de l'Enginyeria Civil
• PERC-UPC-Power Electronics Research Centre
• POLQUITEX-Polymeric Materials and Textile Chemistry
• SIMCON-First-principles approaches to condensed matter physics: quantum effects and complexity
• STH-Sustainability, Technology and Humanism
• SUMMLab-Sustainability Measurement and Modelin Lab

Teachers

• Aguado de Cea, Antonio
• Alcaraz Sendra, Olga
• Alier Forment, Marc
• Alvarez del Castillo, Javier
• Alvarez del Castillo, M. Dolores
• Amante Garcia, Beatriz
• Balta Salvador, Roso
• Bosch Tous, Ricard
• Cadafalch Rabasa, Jordi
• Carrillo Navarrete, Fernando
• Casanovas Rubio, Maria del Mar
• Cremades Oliver, Lázaro V.
• Cuchi Burgos, Alberto
• Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria
• de la Fuente Antequera, Albert
• de la Hoz Casas, Jordi
• Domenech Lega, Bruno
• Estrada Romeu, Miquel
• Etxeberria Larrañaga, Miren
• Felipe Blanch, Jose Juan de
• Fernandez Guerrero, David
• Ferrer Marti, Laia
• Fonseca Casas, Pau
• Fuertes Perez, Pere
• Garcia Almiñana, Jordi
• Garcia Carrillo, Agueda
• Garrido Soriano, Nuria
• Gasso Domingo, Santiago
• Gibert Oliveras, Karina
• Gil Roig, Jose Maria
• Kallas Calot, Zein
• Llop Torne, Carles
• Lopez Alvarez, David
• Macias Arau, Pere
• Magrinya Torner, Francesc
• Marti Gregorio, Vicenç
• Martin Cañadas, Maria Elena
• Mas de les Valls Ortiz, Elisabet
• Maspoch Ruldua, Maria Lluïsa
• Masseck, Torsten
• Mayorga Cardenas, Miguel Yury
• Monguet Fierro, Josep Maria
• Morato Farreras, Jordi
• Navarro Moldes, Leandro
• Olmedo Torre, Noelia
• Pages Ramon, Anna
• Pardo Bosch, Francesc
• Peña Carrera, Marta
• Pujadas Alvarez, Pablo
• Rahmani Meddour, Djamel
• Rajadell Carreras, Manuel
• Reig Puig, Lourdes
• Riba Romeva, Carles
• Ribe Torijano, Oscar
• Roca Bosch, Elisabeth
• Rosas Casals, Marti
• Ruiz Mansilla, Rafael
• Salan Ballesteros, M. Núria
• Segalas Coral, Jordi
• Sierra Garriga, Carlos
• Sureda Carbonell, Barbara
• Taghouti, Ibtissem
• Trullols Farreny, Enric
• Valderrama Angel, Cesar Alberto
• Vallbe Mumbru, Marc
• Vidal Lopez, Eva
• Villares Junyent, Miriam

• Mercade Aloy, Josep