Christopher Zegras

Christopher Zegras is a prominent academic serving as a Professor of Mobility and Urban Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is also the Department Head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP). His academic focus encompasses a variety of subjects including planning methods, integrated land use-transportation planning, and transportation finance. Zegras has taught courses on quantitative methods and has co-led urban planning and design studios in multiple cities worldwide, including Beijing, Boston, and Mexico City.123

Zegras's research interests are centered on addressing metropolitan mobility challenges through the lenses of human behavior, digital transformation, and strategic planning techniques. His extensive consulting experience includes work with various governments and international organizations. Prior to his current role, he was involved with the International Institute for Energy Conservation and MIT’s Laboratory for Energy and the Environment.12

He holds multiple degrees from MIT, including a Master in City Planning, a Master of Science in Transportation, and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning. Additionally, he earned a BA in Economics and Spanish from Tufts University.123 Zegras has also played significant roles in interdisciplinary research groups, notably as the Lead Principal Investigator for the Future Urban Mobility project from 2015 to 2020.1