Collin Yarbrough

Collin is originally from Houston but grew up in the Lake Highlands neighborhood. He is a licensed mechanical engineer but is currently finishing a PhD in civil engineering at SMU. His research focuses on creating tools for characterizing and measuring the life-cycle impacts of (in)justice in infrastructure development. Collin’s written work focuses on Dallas. His 2021 book, Paved A Way: infrastructure, policy, and racism in an American city, takes a historical look at the impacts of infrastructure and land use policy in shaping and erasing neighborhoods in Dallas. He is the founder and principal consultant of Just Thought, providing boutique consulting and urban design services. Before graduate school, Collin worked in the utility industry for seven years as an engineer and compliance manager at Atmos Energy, serving customers and managing pipeline projects across Texas. He currently serves on the boards of Downwinders at Risk, the Greater Dallas Planning Council, and as a member of the City of Dallas’ Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee.