Faculty Profile

Prior to joining CRP in 2009, Katia Balassiano worked as a planning director and planning consultant in the States of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. As a planning practitioner, Prof. Balassiano introduced innovation and streamlined procedures in land use regulations and zoning laws. In Rhode Island, she drafted the state’s first municipal affordable housing plan. Of equal value were the new forums Katia instituted in which development proposals were discussed, ultimately improving communications between government employees, developers and citizens. 
 

Interested in expanding her understanding of China, Prof. Balassiano taught university-level English for two years in the Chinese cities of Changzhou and Urumqi, and used the opportunity of being abroad to travel extensively throughout SE Asia. Her doctoral studies focused on issues pertaining to urbanization and globalization in Asia and SE Asia. Katia Balassiano’s current research involves how nongovernmental organizations help municipalities produce civic spaces in Thailand, and the degree to which such spaces lead to greater participation in governance.

• B.A., State University of New York at Albany, 1989
• M.C.P., University of Rhode Island, 1992
• Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2009

• Planning and Community Development Director, Town of Cumberland, Rhode Island 
• Planning Director / Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Burrillville, Rhode Island    
• Professional Planning Consultant, Beals and Thomas, Inc., Westborough, Massachusetts 
• Senior Policy Analyst, Intergovernmental Policy Analysis Program, University of Rhode Island

• 2009.   “Advocating for Civic Spaces in Thailand” The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability 5(1): 229-242.
• 2008.   “The Emerging Role of Nonprofit Associations in Advocacy and Public Policy: Trends, Issues and Prospects” (with Dr. Susan Chandler) Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector , Quarterly first published on June 22, 2009 as doi:10.1177/0899764009338963.
• 2005.   "Design Guidelines" Cumberland, Rhode Island.
• 2005.   "Comprehensive Community Plan 5-Year Update" Town of N. Smithfield, Rhode Island.
• 2004.   "Analysis of Impact Fee Legislation" Cumberland, Rhode Island.
  

• CRP 1100 American Cities
• CRP 3850/5850 Communication Skills for Planners