I trained as an architect, and my PhD was on the interactions between architecture and urban planning, a passion that has stayed with me throughout my career. Before joining Arup, I worked on several urban developments, advising public and private bodies both in Italy and abroad. I’m currently Associate Director at Arup Italia, where I lead masterplanning and urban design activities for the Europe region.

A major part of my role is running multidisciplinary projects, so I often work in collaboration with our architects, both on planning projects that need an architecture focus or on architecture projects that need a wider planning approach. I love having the chance to work every day with different colleagues with different backgrounds, and I believe it makes us do better work.

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I love both the lasting values of the firm, described in the Key Speech, and its uncommon organisation, an independent firm, owned in trust for all its members. ”

This has been evident when working on projects such as the new ACF Fiorentina stadium. Arup developed the project according to our 'total architecture’ approach – bringing together a diverse team of architects, engineers and experts to enable a holistic approach that considers the building from a number of perspectives and disciplines, to make the most beautiful and well considered building that we can for the City of Florence.

I also have a background in academia and enjoy lecturing, teaching and writing books and articles about urban planning, cities and regeneration. What’s great about Arup is the commitment to research, and that everyone has the opportunity to propose topics – giving me the opportunity to contribute towards the major trends shaping the future of the built environment.

Stefano's perspectives

Article - Action plans for ageing cities

Publication - Shaping Ageing Neighbourhoods: Milan Gallaratese