Carlos J. L. Balsas

Carlos J. L. Balsas, Ph.D., AICP is a Lecturer in Planning at Ulster University's Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment. His expertise spans urban revitalization, sustainable transportation, and international planning across Portugal, the U.S., and Germany.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
• MRP in Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
• Licentiate in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Aveiro, Portugal

Dr. Balsas specializes in urban governance, non-motorized transportation, mega-event development, and commercial urbanism. His research integrates cultural dimensions with sustainable city center revitalization and walkability frameworks. Recent work examines socio-ecological governance in greenway systems and cruise tourism impacts on port cities.

His 2025 publications reveal concentrated focus on waterfront regeneration strategies and strategic sustainability planning, with methodological diversity spanning case studies, theoretical analyses, and socio-ecological assessments across global contexts from Hamburg to Buffalo.

Scientific Recognition:

• Multiple professional planning awards for advanced studios in Arizona
• Professional planning awards for report-directed courses in New York

Dr. Balsas chairs and serves on Masters/PhD committees internationally while maintaining active professional service across the U.S., Brazil, and Portugal. His teaching portfolio includes planning theory, urban design studios, and global urbanism courses.

He contributes to Ulster University's Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Research group with work directly supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through urban resilience frameworks and governance innovations.