The architect Ignasi de Solà-Morales (Barcelona, 1942 - Amsterdam, 2001) has gone down in history as an extraordinary figure for how he combined the roles of architect, historian, and theorist in his profession. Among his intellectual achievements is the general direction of the 1996 congress of the International Union of Architects in Barcelona. The direction included a keynote speech, titled "Present and Futures. Architecture in Cities", which is once again relevant now that Barcelona is hosting a new edition of the congress, from June 28 to July 2. Solà-Morales laid out his theory of architecture in cities in five fully current aspects, including the transformations of urban environments and new housing models. Likewise, he considered the impact of communication and transport media on contemporary architecture and cities, what the new architectures were that responded "to the new rites of life in large cities" and what the changes were in "residual or disused areas", that is, the reflection on the terrain vague" for which he is still internationally recognized.