Systems engineering and systems design thinking for urban mobility challenge

Oliver Gao

David R. Schneider

Senior Lecturer
Cornell University
Systems Engineering

Professor Todd Cowen

Sirietta Simoncini

Lecturer
Cornell University
Systems Engineering

Albert Einstein once said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions”. The challenge of creating Smart and Healthy Cities is a complex one, filled with numerous stakeholders and interactions between stakeholders, that must be well understood if one is to develop a truly high performing sustainable solution. In this lab, students explored an urban mobility challenge, which at first glance may have appeared to have some clear solutions, but through an application of systems engineering and systems design thinking approaches in a real world setting (across campus, interviewing clients, etc.), students uncovered a broader understanding of the complex needs within. In doing so, students gained valuable experience in problem definition skills that can be applied towards any future career they may pursue.

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