Editor's note: the story has been updated to reflect current data produced by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Traffic congestion, metro delays, overcrowded schools, and emergency response time can all be attributed to a growing urban population in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

Researchers predict that by the year 2050, cities worldwide will add an additional 2.5 billion people. Key issues concerning public health, sustainable use of limited energy resources, emergency preparedness, and societal stability will rise to the forefront.

At the same time, as cities become more wired and networked, an unprecedented amount of operational and behavioral data is being gathered and analyzed.

Please join Virginia Tech computer science expert Naren Ramakrishnan in the National Capital Region to learn about how government leaders and urban planners are using data to predict behavior patterns and offer solutions to local challenges.


What: On the Record with Virginia Tech
Behind the Algorithm - Using Data to Solve Urban Challenges



When: January 24, 2019 from 12 noon – 1 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)



Where: Virginia Tech Research Center
900 North Glebe Road - 2nd Floor
Arlington, VA  22203



Boxed lunches will be provided.

RSVP by January 18 to Shannon Andrea in the Virginia Tech media relations office at 571-858-3262 or sandrea@vt.edu


About Virginia Tech’s Urban Computing Program

Virginia Tech’s Urban Computing (UrbComp) program trains students in both foundational and applied aspects of data science to support the study of urban populations. Led by the Discovery Analytics Center (DAC), UrbComp is a collaboration between eight departments and five colleges, all studying various facets of urban data science. The center has locations in Blacksburg, Falls Church, and Arlington.

Read more about UrbComp’s research projects below.


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Virginia Tech graduate students team up with D.C. transit to help enhance customer service

Behind the algorithm

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