About Us

Initial Conditions (The Origins)

The Urban Systems Sciences research group was created in 2015 in an effort to integrate interdisciplinary researchers in modeling complex urban/regional systems. From the initial collaboration among Dr. Brian Deal (University of Illinois), Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril (American University of Sharjah), Dr. Vladimir Cvetkovic (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) and several PhD students from each institution emerged the idea of a common space of knowledge exchange. The group is composed of engineers, urban planners, economists, computer scientists, architects and political scientists from three different continents. At its root is the exchange of diverse knowledge and experiences to improve theory, application and policy making.

Main Objectives

To develop and enhance urban/regional systems models focusing on several dimensions of complexity embedded in them: intrinsic (from the system itself) or extrinsic (abstracted environment, stakeholders, policy making, etc.).

Adaptive Behavior (Evolution)

We continue to expand relationships and gather experts from different areas to contribute with current modeling tools or to develop new tools in new locations.