Horst Rittel

Horst Rittel was a German-American social scientist and professor known for his work in design and planning. He introduced the concept of "wicked problems," which are complex, ill-defined issues that lack a clear solution and are interconnected with other problems—like urban planning or social policy. Rittel emphasized that such problems require adaptive, iterative approaches rather than straightforward solutions. His ideas highlight the challenges in tackling real-world problems that are messy, unpredictable, and constantly evolving, encouraging professionals to think flexibly and collaboratively when addressing them.