The Abayomi Methodology – Abayomi Academy

Physical and Digital Environments: Connecting the Real and Virtual Worlds to Create Integrated Experiences

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:00:41 +0000

By Patrícia Fraga

In an increasingly connected world, physical and digital environments can no longer be viewed as separate spheres. The integration of these two worlds is essential for creating urban, organizational, and commercial spaces that cater to a highly digitalized population while still valuing in-person experiences. The fusion of technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and City Information Modeling (CIM) plays a crucial role in this process, facilitating the development of more interconnected urban and corporate environments. However, true transformation goes beyond technology and involves a broader concept encompassing how we manage and interact with these environments, both physically and digitally.

The Connection Between the Physical and Digital: What Does It Mean?

The integration of the physical and digital worlds goes beyond adopting new technologies or modernizing urban infrastructure. It is about creating continuous and accessible experiences where these two environments complement each other without one being entirely dependent on the other. This approach ensures that people can utilize spaces and services more efficiently and intelligently, regardless of their connection to digital resources.

For example, in a smart city, public transportation information should be available both in apps and on physical panels at bus stops. This way, those who want to plan their trip in advance can check schedules on their phone, while those already on-site can access the necessary information without relying on the internet or an electronic device.

In the corporate environment, a digitally integrated workspace allows employees to work in a hybrid manner when physical presence is not essential, leveraging remote work flexibility while still having the opportunity for in-person interactions in the office. The same principle applies to education, healthcare, commerce, and culture: digital services expand and facilitate experiences in physical environments and serve as a complement. Balancing these two dimensions ensures accessibility, inclusion, and a more efficient experience for everyone.

The Role of BIM and CIM in Creating Connected Environments

Although the integration of physical and digital extends to various areas, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and City Information Modeling (CIM) technologies have proven fundamental in creating more connected urban and corporate environments. BIM, primarily used in the construction sector, allows for the creation of detailed digital models of buildings and urban spaces, containing information about each structural and functional component. This enhances the management of these environments, enabling more precise and collaborative planning from conception to operation and maintenance.

CIM, on the other hand, applies the BIM concept on an urban scale, creating digital models of entire cities where not only buildings but also urban infrastructure, transportation, connectivity, and public services are integrated into a single digital platform. With CIM, it is possible to optimize resource usage, improve accessibility and mobility, and create smarter city management, bridging the physical and digital worlds.

These technologies exemplify how digitization can enhance the integration of physical and digital environments, helping to create more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive cities. However, true transformation goes beyond infrastructure and also involves how citizens and organizations interact with these spaces.

Expanding Integration to Businesses and Organizations

While the implementation of BIM and CIM is of great importance in the urban context, the integration between physical and digital is equally relevant in businesses, organizations, and other non-urban environments. For example, a healthcare clinic that offers both in-person and virtual consultations creates an integrated experience for its patients. It can enable online consultations through digital platforms while maintaining physical infrastructure for face-to-face appointments. Similarly, a school can combine in-person teaching with digital resources, giving students access to lessons, materials, and activities beyond the physical classroom, expanding learning opportunities.

Another example is museums and cultural centers, which, in addition to in-person visits, now offer digital experiences such as 360º virtual tours, making culture more democratic and accessible to people from different parts of the world. By integrating physical and digital realms, these institutions expand their reach and create new forms of audience engagement.

Advantages of Connected Environments: Efficiency, Accessibility, and User Experience

The integration of physical and digital environments offers numerous benefits for managers, citizens, and customers alike. One of the greatest advantages is accessibility and convenience. Services that were previously limited to in-person interactions, such as medical consultations or customer service, can now be accessed digitally, offering greater flexibility to users and reducing geographical and time barriers.

Moreover, efficiency and sustainability are enhanced when digital resources are incorporated into the management of urban and organizational spaces. The ability to monitor and optimize the use of resources such as energy, water, and transportation is significantly improved, resulting in more sustainable operations and better resource allocation.

Another crucial aspect is user experience, which becomes richer and more interactive. For instance, allowing a citizen to access city information via a smartphone while walking through a park or plaza, or offering an online shopping experience that complements an in-store visit, helps cities and organizations create a continuous flow between the digital and physical worlds, providing a more personalized and engaging experience.

Responsibility in Resource Use: Collective Awareness

While digital technologies offer numerous advantages in creating more connected environments, their implementation must be done consciously and responsibly. The use of data generated by these platforms, for example, should be handled with transparency and ethics, prioritizing citizen and user privacy and security. Additionally, urban and business managers must ensure that the implementation of digital solutions does not exclude segments of the population that still lack full access to technology, promoting digital inclusion as a fundamental pillar.

Thus, technologies like BIM and CIM should not only be employed with an eye on innovation and efficiency but also with the awareness that these solutions must promote collective well-being, improve quality of life, and ensure that resources are used sustainably.

Conclusion: Creating a Connected and Sustainable Future

The integration of physical and digital environments is essential for building smarter, more accessible, and efficient cities and organizations. Whether through technologies like BIM and CIM or through the adaptation of businesses and institutions to the digital reality, this integration creates new opportunities for improving quality of life and user experience.

However, this transformation will only be truly successful if carried out with responsibility and awareness. By ensuring that digitization and innovation are accessible to all and that resources are used sustainably, we can create a future where urban and corporate environments are not only more connected but also more human, inclusive, and joyful for everyone.

Patrícia Fraga, a visionary and dynamic professional, holds a Ph.D. in Architecture, blending her passions for sustainable urbanism, education, and technology. With a multifaceted career spanning engineering, construction, and academia, she is the Founder of Abayomi and the Executive Director of Abayomi Academy. Patrícia’s global influence extends through her roles as an international speaker, published author, and advocate for Smart & Happy Environments. Her commitment to cultural inclusion shapes transformative projects worldwide, emphasizing the integration of technology with environmental responsibility. A mother of five, Patrícia’s journey reflects resilience, innovation, and dedication to creating positive, sustainable, and joyful living spaces worldwide.

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Conscious Citizenship – The Foundation of Smart and Happy Cities

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:00:11 +0000

By Patricia Fraga

A truly smart and happy city is built by engaged citizens who understand their role in the community and actively contribute to collective well-being. In this chapter, we explore the concept of Conscious Citizenship, one of the fundamental pillars of the Abayomi Methodology. To achieve an intelligent and welcoming urban environment, citizens must develop three key levels of awareness: Self-awareness, Situational Awareness, and Collective Awareness.

The Three Forms of Awareness in Conscious Citizenship

Self-awareness: Who am I? A conscious citizen starts by knowing themselves—understanding their values, responsibilities, and how their actions impact the environment around them. Recognizing one’s rights and duties is essential for meaningful participation in society. This self-knowledge allows individuals to make informed choices that align with their personal and collective values, fostering a more engaged and responsible community.
Situational Awareness: Where am I? Beyond personal identity, it is essential to understand the environment in which we live. This means analyzing our cities, neighborhoods, and communities—how they are structured, who lives in them, and what their needs and goals are. Situational awareness also involves recognizing the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence daily life and understanding how individual actions contribute to the broader urban ecosystem.
Collective Awareness: How do I contribute? The highest level of conscious citizenship is active participation in community life. This means engaging in discussions, making decisions collectively, and working to improve public spaces and social dynamics. Citizens who embrace collective awareness understand that their engagement is essential for urban transformation. Whether through volunteering, civic participation, or simply fostering good neighborly relations, every action counts in building a smart and happy city.

Conscious Citizenship and the Other Abayomi Methodology Pillars

Physical and Digital Space – Conscious citizens demand well-planned environments that integrate physical and digital spaces efficiently. They participate in discussions on urban planning, accessibility, and the responsible use of technology to improve connectivity and public services.

Innovative Management – A smart city requires leaders who listen to their citizens. When people are aware of their role, they can influence public policies, ensuring that investments and solutions align with real community needs rather than fleeting technological trends.

Intelligent Communication – A city that fosters clear and inclusive communication enables citizens to access information and express their concerns effectively. Conscious citizenship strengthens participatory democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in decision-making.

Human Relations – Engaged citizens help create environments that promote positive social interactions, strengthening bonds and fostering a culture of collective support. Whether in public squares, community centers, or digital forums, relationships are the foundation of a thriving city.

Health and Well-being – Citizen awareness extends to self-care and the well-being of others. From advocating for green spaces and recreational areas to participating in health initiatives, conscious individuals help create a city that prioritizes quality of life for all.

Moving Forward: How to Foster Conscious Citizenship?

Promoting a culture of conscious citizenship requires investment in education, dialogue, and engagement opportunities. Schools, community organizations, and local governments must work together to create platforms where people can learn, discuss, and participate actively in urban development.

In the next chapters, we will explore how other pillars of the Abayomi Methodology influence urban transformation and how small and medium-sized cities can apply these concepts to create smarter and happier communities.

Patrícia Fraga, a visionary and dynamic professional, holds a Ph.D. in Architecture, blending her passions for sustainable urbanism, education, and technology. With a multifaceted career spanning engineering, construction, and academia, she’s the Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at Abayomi LLC and Executive Director at Abayomi Academy. Dr. Fraga’s global influence extends through her roles as an international speaker, published author, and advocate for Smart & Happy Environments. Her commitment to cultural inclusivity shapes transformative projects worldwide, emphasizing the integration of technology with environmental responsibility. A mother of five, Dr. Fraga’s journey reflects resilience, innovation, and a dedication to creating positive, sustainable, and joyful living spaces across the globe.

Follow her social media: Facebook Instagram Youtube Linked In

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What Is a Smart and Happy City?

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:00:41 +0000

By Patricia Fraga

We live in a time when cities worldwide seek solutions to become more sustainable, connected, and, above all, human-centered. But what does it truly mean for a city to be smart and happy? This year, in the Abayomi Academy blog articles, we will delve into this question, analyzing how small and medium-sized cities can transform into more prosperous and welcoming environments for their citizens.

The foundation of this discussion will be the Abayomi Methodology, an innovative model that integrates six essential pillars for building cities that promote quality of life and collective well-being. These pillars are: Conscious Citizenship, Physical and Digital Space, Innovative Management, Intelligent Communication, Human Relations, and Health and Well-being. Throughout the year, each of these aspects will be explored in different urban contexts, offering insights and applicable strategies for public managers, urban planners, and citizens who wish to transform their spaces.

The Abayomi Methodology and the Construction of Smart and Happy Cities

Conscious Citizenship places the citizen at the center of urban projects. For a city to be truly smart and happy, its inhabitants must be active in the community, participating in decision-making, monitoring public policies, and strengthening cooperation networks. When citizens are engaged, urban spaces become more inclusive and representative of the real needs of the population.

Physical and Digital Space encompasses not only urban infrastructure but also its connection with the digital world. Well-planned cities offer accessible and functional public spaces while ensuring efficient digital connectivity. The interconnection between the physical and digital environments facilitates access to services, improving mobility, communication, and social inclusion.

Innovative Management requires leaders with an open mindset, capable of understanding the specific needs of each community and seeking effective solutions. Innovation does not simply mean following technological trends but rather adopting practices that truly make sense of the local reality. The use of data, strategic planning, and transparency are fundamental for effective governance focused on collective well-being.

Intelligent Communication is an often-overlooked aspect of city administration. An efficient urban environment must ensure that its information is conveyed clearly and accessible. This includes everything from street signage to how governments communicate their projects and listen to the population’s demands. Well-structured communication strengthens civic engagement and allows for better interaction between managers and citizens.

Human Relations are fundamental to community vitality. Urban environments should be designed to foster positive connections and a culture of mutual care. This means creating spaces that encourage social interaction, dialogue, and collaboration, strengthening neighborly ties, and promoting support networks that enhance the quality of life for all.

Finally, Health and Well-being should be priorities in any urban planning. A city’s infrastructure can directly impact the physical and mental health of its inhabitants. Green areas, spaces for physical activities, access to healthcare services, and initiatives that promote quality of life are essential to ensuring that the city functions as a true ecosystem of well-being.

What to Expect in the Upcoming Chapters?

In the following articles, we will delve deeper into each of these pillars within the context of small and medium-sized cities. We will cover topics ranging from the impact of urban mobility on population well-being to how technology can be used to improve security and social inclusion. The goal is to provide a holistic and applicable vision of how to transform our urban spaces into truly smart and happy environments.

If you aspire to live in a city that values well-being and human development, this journey will be essential. Throughout the year, we will reflect together on how small changes can create significant impacts and how we can collectively build more human-centered and sustainable cities.

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The SHE – Smart and Happy Environment #2 (in English), is almost ready for you

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:14:27 +0000

Check what is coming in the e-magazine:

1. The Abayomi Methodology by Patricia Fraga;

2. Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness by Matthew Phelan

3. Communication Sciences for Change: The Key Role of the Happy Cities Activist by Pedro de Sousa Santos

4. Space and Time: Are they fundamental to happiness? by Arnaldo Lyrio

5. Can Creative Thinking Boost Your Wellbeing & Happiness? by Isabel Rambob

6. It’s All About People! The pandemic time changes the world by Cati de Castro

7. Supporting Student Success in West Baltimore Through Multi-disciplinary Teams by Gia Grier McGinnis

Thank you to the authors for their interesting and inspiring articles.

Stay tuned for the link to the e-magazine that will be released soon.

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The Influence of Environments on our Wellbeing

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:38:25 +0000

Late in the afternoon, on a rainy Wednesday, I called a taxi, after a long meeting downtown. Traffic was slow due to track conditions. The driver took the direction of the North Zone and, despite the traffic restrictions, the ride was relatively fast, about 20 minutes. The car stopped in front of the building where I live, I got out of the car, took the elevator and in an instant I was home. When I opened the door I noticed that everyone had left.

The rain had stopped and so I opened the living room windows.

I have done this journey so many times, and I have done it for so long that when I redo it, I barely notice the details. In fact, coming from work to home is a common routine for many people. And the more we repeat it, the less we pay attention to the characteristics of the different enclosures we use in this coming and going. Whether we are at home or at work, whether we are in a meeting or in an elevator, we respond to the stimuli of these environments mechanically.

Noises, temperature, colors, movement, aromas and vibrations are just some of the characteristics of the places we visit, which are not always perceived and evaluated. At first, the effort to pay attention to these attributes may seem somewhat fruitless, but if we seek satisfaction and well-being we must be concerned with the quality of the places in which we live. It makes sense, considering that now working from home is a very plausible option.

Past and present

But it was not always so. Careful observation about the environments we use allows us to notice cultural differences and changes in habits that have occurred over time. I remember, for example, that the meeting rooms I attended in the 1980s were filled with cigarette smoke, as non-smokers were rare; on the other hand, there were no cell phones distracting the participants. In the secretariats, a large team of typists tapped their typewriters loudly, preparing forms and documents. Nowadays that has all changed and there are few smokers, both in offices and in restaurants and shopping centers. The advent of the personal computer, in turn, helped to reduce and even eliminate the places dedicated to the old secretariats. With the intensive use of messaging apps, the dynamics of business communications have changed, narrowing the time spent on procedures and simplifying processes. It is also noticeable the degree of influence of technology in the conception of work environments, in public transportation and in our homes. And neither the distance nor the difference in time zones between the participants prevents the meetings from taking place. This form of non-face-to-face communication was stimulated by the social isolation inaugurated with the COVID-19 pandemic, making teleworking and virtual meetings common.

Another important change, made possible by the development of communication and information technologies, was the possibility of sharing spaces for workers and companies, or coworking. Through this system, based on Shared Economy, users pay for the time and type of space used, which can be a desktop or a meeting room, in addition to administrative assistance services, internet access, projection equipment and other facilities. The savings in resources can be significant, considering that waste of material and idleness are practically eliminated. Another advantage is the immediate availability, making expenses with renovations, equipment and maintenance of the office unnecessary

In this case, in addition to the aesthetic aspects, linked to the decoration, comfort and convenience offered, in the analysis of the environment, the way of living with the people and companies that will also occupy that place must be taken into account.

The Quality in Environments

Interesting how we are critical of consumption sites and tolerant of our private spaces. If there is a concern with quality of life and well-being, it is worth remembering what marketers say about caring for consumption spaces. Observing the elements that influence the perception of environments can make the difference between wanting to return to a restaurant or never stepping in that place again. For Jacques Horovitz, quality consultant for the resort chain Club Méditerranée and author of the book Quality of Service, the customers’ experience can be happy or unhappy, depending on their level of satisfaction, in relation to various items, such as the environment and the atmosphere (p. 29). While the environment is perceived in its physical characteristics, such as furniture, colors, layout and lighting, the atmosphere is the result of the set of spatial components associated with the service, added services and facilities.

The observation of customer interaction in environments motivated the writer Paco Underhill to dedicate himself professionally to these activities. Underhill transferred the analytical tools he used when working for the American urban planner and sociologist William Whyte, in New York in the 1970s, to retail environments. With Whyte his role was to ascertain, through observations, footage and interviews, the way people behave in streets, squares and parks, correcting or adapting urban furniture and the places where they circulate and in which places they are grouped. Applying Whyte’s methodology, Underhill started measuring and evaluating how people appropriate spaces in supermarkets, shopping centers, parks and corporate environments. After meticulously recording the behavior of customers and users of these establishments, he proposes adaptations to the original project or even the inclusion of items that increase comfort, the time that customers spend in stores and average consumption. What would it be like if each of us did the same in our own environment?

By paying attention, taking notes, reviewing, adapting and reinventing our homes, our offices, our gardens and our leisure areas, including new colors, new furniture, getting rid of what we don’t like or are no longer useful, we can build an atmosphere favorable to our welfare. And this is an important step to live more and better.

Do you want to know more about Arnaldo Lyrio? Check out his Linked In: Arnaldo Lyrio

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The Innovative Management of Smart Spaces and Cities and the Pursuit of Happiness after the Pandemic

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 12:52:33 +0000

It is with immense joy that we will start publishing the column dedicated to the dissemination and exchange of ideas and information related to one of the dimensions of the Abayomi Methodology, with an emphasis on legal tools for the innovative management of smart cities – which offer access to services, products and necessary resources for the well-being and happiness of its valuable citizens.

Dear Readers,

Several legal tools can contribute to adequate governance for the ethical management of information, natural, financial, human and technological resources, which are indispensable for adequate urban planning, the elaboration of public policies and business models capable of promoting sustainable development and, after the pandemic, face its effects and impacts on society.

All of us, as citizens, consumers, entrepreneurs, managers or professionals, must be protagonists of responsible and solidary actions, as well as participate in the construction of creative solutions and adaptations that will be desired or required by the new reality imposed by the pandemic.

Therefore, your comments and suggestions are always welcome!

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The Innovative Management of Smart Spaces and Cities and the Pursuit of Happiness after the Pandemic

The creation of the International Day of Happiness was proposed to the United Nations by Bhutan, a country known for the creation of the “Gross Domestic Happiness” index of its citizens. The United Nations General Assembly established March 20th as the International Day of Happiness, serving as a stimulus to published policies related to wellbeing and happiness. Without imagining that it would sound like an omen, the then First UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said in March 2013:

“On this first International Day of Happiness, we will reinforce our commitment to inclusive and sustainable human development and to helping others. When we contribute to the common good, we enrich ourselves. Compassion promotes happiness and will help to build the future we want. ”

The World Happiness Report, the World Happiness Report published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, considers some variables related to the wellbeing of respondents, such as income (GDP per capita), healthy life expectancy, social support , freedom of choice, generosity and perception of corruption.

It is interesting to note that the largest economies do not occupy the best positions in the ranking, which makes it possible to infer that wellbeing and happiness do not depend only on financial or technological resources, but on their proper management and the positive effects on people’s lives, whose legitimate expectations must be considered in planning.

In other words, when thinking about managing smart cities, thus understanding those capable of promoting the happiness of its inhabitants, it is equivalent to say that investments in resources and technologies must consider the expectations of citizens (taxpayers), starting from the problem to solutions (and not the other way around), which must be sustainable.

In 2020, for the first time, the World Happiness Report classified cities around the world according to their subjective wellbeing and investigates how social, urban and natural environments combine and affect happiness. Interdisciplinary studies carried out according to the dimensions of the Abayomi Methodology also correlate the effects of the environment on the promotion of wellbeing and happiness.

The recently released 2021 Report brought new elements to this “equation”, which will also influence future studies on happiness, in view of the specific impacts of the pandemic on social wellbeing. It was exactly the management capacity of the best positioned countries that directly interfered in their citizens’ happiness “indices”.

Just over a year ago, humanity began to tread a very unexpected chapter in its history, the duration of which is still quite unpredictable. In an almost invisible way, one of the most elementary types of life (not even considered to be alive by some) entered our history and assumed a leading role that affected citizens of all ages, all classes and all countries.

The immediate impacts of this unprecedented global health and economic crisis are extremely relevant, requiring the rapid creation of solutions and adaptations of routines in public and private spaces, physical and digital, as well as the redefinition of several priorities, investments, models of business and concepts.

If studies related to smart cities already demanded new forms of management and policies to adapt cities and public and private spaces, the pandemic brought the importance of this remodeling in the list of the Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 3030 and the concepts of Circular Economy.

Access to tools and technologies has become essential for remote work, new consumption habits, distance education and even for online consultations and health care.

The new reality also started to demand from managers and legal operators the re-reading of the existing legal frameworks and the construction of solutions coherent with the new demands or conflicts, for example, of competences for certain actions, individual and collective interests, demanding temporary “relativization” of some rights and guarantees, as well as the creation of new contractual, labor, sanitary, security, transportation, leisure rules, etc.

On the other hand, taking into account the impacts of the pandemic on public health and education policies, the economy, the public budget and urban planning, the actions expected from the Government can be supported or complemented by individual and collective actions, which also demand innovative management to foster solidarity, social support, empathy and community vitality.

To exemplify the relevance of this, it is worth mentioning that Finland, the country best positioned in the world ranking of Happiness a few years ago, obtained a very high ranking in the 2021 World Happiness Report regarding the mutual trust between its citizens regarding the protection of life during the pandemic and the management of the resources needed to protect health and life.

Adequate allocation of natural, financial, human and technological resources, in addition to the management of information and also time itself, are essential for the preservation of life, health and wellbeing.

The Abayomi Methodology, in its five dimensions – 1) Physical and Digital Space, 2) Innovative Management, 3) Health and Wellbeing, 4) Communication and 5) Human Relations – includes tools that find support in the legal system, in the form of guidelines that should promote individual and collective wellbeing.

In other words, alongside the other dimensions of the Abayomi Methodology, Innovative Management is vital for the reconfiguration and adaptation of public policies, human relations and public and private spaces, necessary measures to ensure or rescue well-being and happiness.

In addition to investigating the results of the 2020 World Global Report, future publications will bring the legal concepts and tools that can support and foster innovative management of smart spaces and cities and promote sustainable development and happiness.

Do you want to know more about Eliane Saldan? Check out her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliane-saldan-fraga-9a2394/

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