Writings

Scholars almost live to write. "Publish or perish" is a common saying in academia. I did not use to enjoy writing as a child and as a young adult, but I have come to love it. From scientific publications and non-fiction books to short stories and a personal journal, I now spend much of my days writing.

This page primarily features my books and some of my fiction work. Find a full list of scientific publications, book chapters, conference proceedings, conference abstracts, other scientific writings, and media coverage on the CSUN lab website and in my CV (that also includes a list of my invited talks).

Books and More

Book Cover of Urban Infrastructure: Reflections for 2100

Urban Infrastructure: Reflections for 2100

Independently Published (2021)

How will infrastructure be in 2100? How will cities transform to be more sustainable, resilient, and equitable? This book features a series of science fiction short stories, essays, and poems contributed by 40 experts around the world.
Find out more here and buy it on Amazon.

Book Cover of Urban Engineering for Sustainability

Urban Engineering
for Sustainability

MIT Press (2019)

A textbook that introduces integrated, sustainable design of urban infrastructures, drawing on civil engineering, environmental engineering, urban planning, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
Find out more here and buy it at MIT Press.

Book Cover of CIGOS 2019, Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure

CIGOS 2019, Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure

Springer (2019)

This book presents selected articles from CIGOS 2019 that provided a platform for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to present recent advances and to exchange knowledge on sustainable infrastructure.
Find out more and buy at Springer.

Book Cover of Workshop on Post-Disaster Materials and Environmental Management

Post-Disaster Materials and Environmental Management

Unpublished (2019)

This report identifies research questions for the sustainable management of post-disaster debris and waste, with a focus on debris reuse and recycling. It is the product of a NSF-sponsored workshop.
Find more about the NSF award here and download the report here.

Book Cover of Metro Network Designs: Characteristics, Complexity, and impact on Ridership

The Power of
Planning
Cities

TEDx (2018)

In this TEDx talk I gave at Walter Payton College Prep, I go over how cities used to be planned, how they are shaped by the challenges they face, and how practices will need to evolve and champion principles of sustainability and resilience.
Learn more and watch the TEDx talk here.

Book Cover of Metro Network Designs: Characteristics, Complexity, and impact on Ridership

Metro Network Designs: Characteristics, Complexity, and impact on Ridership

Lambert (2011)

By looking at 33 metro networks in the world, this book identifies the geometric properties and effects of network designs. This book is a formatted version of my Ph.D. dissertation.
Download a PDF copy of my dissertation here or buy a print version on Amazon.

Fiction Writing

I am not a fiction writer but I am drawn to it. Fiction ties me to reality. As an academic, my work tends to be abstract, but linking it to a story forces me to think about humans with all their flaws and aspirations—emotions of pride, selfishness, and sadness, mixed with a desire to do good and to care for one's community.

My plan is to write short stories, sometimes one paragraph long and sometimes few pages long, and post them here.

Peace Day in Saint Pierre and Miquelon – July 14, 2100 (2020-05) – 25 min read
Published in Urban Infrastructure: Reflections for 2100 (see books above)

Scratching (2021-12) – 1 min read