Luca Pattaroni

Luca Pattaroni is a Professor of Urban Sociology and co-director of the Laboratoire de sociologie urbaine (LaSUR) at EPFL's ENAC School. He holds a joint PhD from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (Paris) and the University of Geneva. His research focuses on urban sociology, housing policies, migration, and cultural movements. He co-leads the Housing-Habitat orientation of the Architecture Master's program and coordinates a joint doctoral program between EPFL and Geneva’s HEAD. Recent awards include the 2021 Premier Prix for the Tour des Poissoniers project and the 2021 Grand Prix d'Urbanisme. He is a member of the USIC Think Tank and actively collaborates with urban planners and artists.

Education:

• Master’s in Social Sciences (École Normale Supérieure, Paris)
• Joint PhD in Sociology (EHESS Paris and University of Geneva)

Research Interests:

His work explores urban differences, collective action, migration, and the interplay between sociology, architecture, and engineering. Projects include analyzing Mumbai’s Development Plan, creative city commodification in Lisbon, and Geneva’s squatting movements. He emphasizes mixed-method approaches, combining societal transformation models with spatial dynamics.

Grants & Projects:

• Co-directed the 'Resistance and Project: The Fate of the Grottes' research (2008-2012)
• Lead researcher for 'Habitat Urbain Durable pour les Familles' (2005-2009)
• Member of the NCCR North-South research network (2005-2009)

Labs & Collaborations:

He co-founded Ressources Urbaines, an artist cooperative, and contributed to urban projects like the Geneva-Hotels extension and the Vernets development plan.