Urban Systems
The City as a System of Systems
Urban Systems explores cities as complex, interconnected networks where physical infrastructure, social dynamics, and technology converge to shape modern urban life. This course examines the city as a "system of systems," where the interaction between diverse elements, from transportation networks to cultural institutions, creates emergent patterns that define today's urban experiences and challenges.
Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of both hard systems (infrastructure, transportation, water, energy, waste) and soft systems (social networks, economic development, cultural production, governance) that make cities function. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and hands-on analysis, students gain expertise in:
- Systems thinking applied to urban environments
- Data-driven urban analysis using current NYC datasets
- Mapping and modeling complex urban interactions
- Technology applications for urban challenges (IoT, AI, data science)
- Policy and planning implications of systems approaches
Assignments center on New York City, providing concrete examples of urban systems in action. You'll work with actual city data from NYC OpenData to analyze everything from subway flows to cultural institution distributions. Guest lectures feature leading urban practitioners from government and industry.
Course details Click to open or close
Course Requirements
The course emphasizes applied learning through practical analysis and creative problem-solving that mirrors real-world urban planning and technology work. Rather than traditional exams, students demonstrate mastery through progressive skill-building that culminates in professional-quality deliverables suitable for portfolios.
- Weekly Readings: expect 2 to 3 hours of reading per week from seminal urban theory texts and contemporary research papers
- Urban Systems Labs: student-led interactive sessions for hands-on work with data and collaborative discussions
- Project Work: significant time investment in mapping, analysis, and multimedia creation using tools like ArcGIS StoryMaps
Course Project: CDspec
The course project, CDspec, is contained entirely within the CDspec project document . Students should become accustomed to referring to the project document throughout the semester.
| Activity | Due | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Project 1: CDspec: Hard Systems | September 20 | 20% |
| Project 2: CDspec: Soft Systems | October 18 | 20% |
| Project 3: CDspec: Digital Twins and Inter-system Interactions, Final Presentation | November 29 | 40% |
| Labs | Ongoing | 15% |
| Class participation, including attendance | Ongoing | 5% |
All assignments and projects are submitted on Canvas.
Student Outcomes
- Systems Analysis and Representation: demonstrate an ability to recognize, analyze, and represent urban systems, and understand the relationship between systems and their associated complexities
- "System of Systems" Thinking: develop a "system of systems" sensibility and the ability to address complex urban problems, clearly communicate new concepts, and identify where urban technologies may lead to new solutions
- Urban Systems Modeling: demonstrate practical knowledge of how to model urban systems to support effective simulations of interventions
- Optimization for Urban Systems: explain how to best utilize technology to optimize urban systems, enhance urban resiliency, and improve the quality of life for residents
Assessment
Student achievement is assessed on five components:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Clarity | 30% |
| Originality | 30% |
| Relevance | 20% |
| References | 10% |
| Timeliness | 10% |
Grades are determined on the following scale:
| Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 94 to 100 |
| A- | 90 to 93 |
| B+ | 85 to 89 |
| B | 80 to 84 |
| F | below 80 |
Course Details
| Credits | 3 |
|---|---|
| Lectures | Monday and Wednesday, 11:40 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. |
| Room | Bloomberg 161 |
| Office hours | By appointment |
| Frequency | Offered every fall |
| Prerequisites | None |
Projects
The semester-long CDspec project runs in three phases. Students work in pairs and analyze the same NYC community district throughout.
CDspec: Hard Systems
Project 1. Map and analyze the hard systems of a New York City CD: infrastructure, transportation, water, energy, and waste.
CDspec: Soft Systems
Project 2. Map and analyze the soft systems of a New York City CD: social networks, economic development, cultural production, and governance.
CDspec: Digital Twins and Inter-system Interactions
Project 3 and the final presentation. Model the digital twin of the CD and the interactions between its systems.
Last year's student projects
Students in the Fall 2025 course each adopted a New York City community district and analyzed its hard and soft systems. Districts in orange carry a finished StoryMap. Select one and double click to open it.
Map from cdspec.tech.cornell.edu . If it does not load, open it there directly.
Teaching Team
Guest mentor information will be added soon.
Additional Reading
A list of optional background titles on cities, urban form, and urban technology sits on the recommended reading page .
Well-Designed Cartography Examples
Look at good maps before you make one. Places that reliably publish cartography worth studying are collected on the cartography examples page .