![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.gre.ac.uk\/architecture\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/02\/Flyer_Haque_220210-734x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt its best, technology in the urban environment should not be about efficiency (which restricts complexity, serendipity and diversity), but about connecting \u2013 people, places and situations \u2013 in ways that leads to novelty, engagement and agency. Usman will talk about designing interactive spaces and platforms for urban communities and about why reconnecting human, non-human and urban infrastructure is crucial for dealing with the challenges of the 21st century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usman Haque is founder and creative director of Umbrellium, a London-based design & build studio dedicated to transforming urban environments. His work embraces many disciplines, including design, architecture, the internet of things, urban community infrastructure, and large-scale public art\/performance. Trained as an architect, he has created spectacular participatory events and large-scale installations for cities around the world. Earlier he founded Thingful.net<\/a>, a search engine for the Internet of Things; and Pachube, one of the world’s first open IoT data platforms, acquired by LogMeIn in 2011. He taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture with Prof Stephen Gage in the Interactive Architecture Workshop (until 2005); and in 2015\/2016 led RC12 Urban Design cluster, \u201cParticipatory systems for networked urban environments\u201d with Adam Greenfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n