Abstract
This paper examines the convergence of new media, computational modeling, and ecological thinking as a framework for addressing climate challenges in smart cities. It advances the concept of new media ecologies, where algorithmic art and energy-efficient computation merge to transform climate change modeling into both a technical system and an aesthetic practice. The study integrates agent-based modeling, network simulations, and bio-inspired computation with the LEACH protocol (Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy) and energy-efficient algorithms to optimize wireless sensor networks (WSNs), which serve as critical infrastructures for environmental monitoring. Simulations conducted in MATLAB/Simulink and NS-3 demonstrate reductions in energy overhead and improvements in WSN lifetime, while data analysis in Python (NumPy, SciPy, NetworkX) and R (igraph, ggplot2) supports computational evaluation and statistical validation. To bridge technical outputs with cultural practice, the research employs Processing and Unity3D for generative and immersive visualization, translating abstract climate data into participatory eco-narratives. Findings show that LEACH-based clustering improves sensor network efficiency by up to 35% while maintaining reliable transmission under climate stressors, enabling robust monitoring of heatwaves, flooding, and carbon emissions. Beyond optimization, algorithmic visualization positions climate data as cultural artifacts, fostering citizen engagement and guiding policy discourse. By situating climate change modeling within new media ecologies, this research demonstrates how the integration of new media, technology, and the arts can reframe resilience as both a computational and cultural project, offering a replicable framework for sustainable smart city systems.
Presenters
Daniel Dasig, Jr.Research Director, Research and Development Office, Philippine Women's University, Philippines
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Modeling Life Systems: Art, Algorithms, Ecologies
KEYWORDS
New media ecologies, Algorithmic art, Climate resilience, Smart cities
