Horst Rittel

Horst Willhelm Jakob Rittel (* 14 July 1930 in Berlin, † 9 July 1990 in Heidelberg) was a German-born design theorist and university professor. He is best-known (along with M. Webber) for coining the term wicked problem, [ [http://www.uctc.net/mwebber/Rittel+Webber+Dilemmas+General_Theory_of_Planning.pdf Rittel, H., and M. Webber; "Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning" pp 155-169, Policy Sciences, Vol. 4, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Inc., Amsterdam, 1973.] ] but his influence on design theory and practice was also much wider. [Rith, C and Dubberly, H, 'Why Horst W J Rittel Matters', Design Issues, Vol 23, No 1, pp. 72-91]

In response to the perceived failures of early attempts at systematic design, he introduced the concept of 'second generation design methods' [Rittel, H., 1984, "Second-Generation Design Methods", in "Developments in Design Methodology", N. Cross (Editor), John Wiley & Sons, UK pp. 317-327.] and a planning/design method known as IBIS (Issue-Based Information System) for handling wicked problems [http://www-iurd.ced.berkeley.edu/pub/WP-131.pdf] .

Biography

* 1963 — 1990 Professor of the Science of Design at the University of California, Berkeley, College for Environmental Design, Department of Architecture and Department of City and Regional Planning
* 1967 Visiting Associate Professor for Architecture and Operations Research at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
* 1973 — 1990 Director and Professor at the University of Stuttgart, Faculty for Architecture and Town Planning.

References