Carlo Ratti

Carlo Ratti is an influential Italian architect, engineer, educator, and author, born in 1971 in Turin, Italy. He is best known as the director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, a research group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that investigates how digital technologies are transforming urban environments and human interactions within them. Ratti's work integrates various disciplines, including urban planning, architecture, design, and engineering, to address contemporary urban challenges through innovative solutions.

Education and Career

Ratti graduated from the Politecnico di Torino and the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris. He later earned his MPhil and PhD from the University of Cambridge in the UK. In addition to his role at MIT, he is a founding partner of Carlo Ratti Associati, an international design and innovation office with offices in Turin, New York, and London. He also holds positions as a Distinguished Professor at the Politecnico di Milano and an Honorary Professor at TTPU Tashkent.1254

Research Contributions

Ratti has authored over 500 publications and holds several patents related to urban technologies. His notable projects include the Copenhagen Wheel, which turns any bicycle into a network-connected e-bike, and the Digital Water Pavilion, both recognized by TIME Magazine as some of the "Best Inventions of the Year" .345 His research often explores how data can be harnessed to improve urban life, focusing on themes such as smart cities and urban mobility.

Recognition and Impact

Ratti has been featured in various prestigious lists, including Fast Company's "50 Most Influential Designers in America" and Wired magazine's "Smart List." He has also presented at TED conferences and curated significant exhibitions like the Future Food District pavilion for the 2015 World Expo in Milan. His insights into urban technology have made him a sought-after speaker globally.2345

Current Focus

Ratti's current work emphasizes the intersection of technology and urban design, advocating for a human-centric approach to smart cities that empowers citizens through better data management. He actively contributes to public discourse on urban innovation as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Cities.123