Toward a science of cities: A complex systems approach
By Marta Gonzalez on 10/16/2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 1611 Titan Dr., Rantoul, IL 61866
Join Marta Gonzalez of the University of California, Berkeley as she presents via Zoom at the Fall 2025 Kent Seminar Series Thursday, October 16 from 2-3 p.m. (CT).
The Fall 2025 semester is set to feature 13 presentations, each addressing a topic related to electrification in mobility.
Pizza and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the ICT Classroom.
All presentations will be held on Zoom, but some speakers will present in person at ICT.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://go.illinois.edu/KentSeminar
Meeting ID: 881 1157 1273
Passcode: 462549
Abstract and Bio
Cities are complex systems shaped by the interactions of individuals, institutions and infrastructure. This presentation applies complex systems science to urban environments to reveal shared patterns that govern urban behavior. Using large-scale data on mobility, traffic, emissions and financial transactions, the analysis identifies traffic thresholds marking the onset and collapse of mobility systems, models how travel drives CO₂ emissions, and tracks shifts in urban form during disruptive events. Credit card transaction patterns further reflect individual lifestyles and social structures. Together, these findings demonstrate the power of data-driven, systems-based approaches to understanding and guiding the future of cities.
Gonzalez is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and city and regional planning at the University of California, Berkeley, and a physics research faculty member in the Energy Technology Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Her research focuses on urban science, examining how people interact with the built and natural environment and their social networks. Gonzalez develops tools that inform transportation research and introduces new ways to model human mobility and energy technology adoption. Her work aims to design urban solutions that promote equitable and sustainable development through the thoughtful use of emerging technologies.