Associate Professor Hiroaki Hata’s research and creative work focuses on the design, history, theory and criticism of urban structures and community development. He holds a post-professional degree in urban design from Harvard University and a Master of Architecture degree from Washington University.

With a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Architecture and Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Hata holds numerous teaching roles at the School of Architecture and Planning. He teaches the School's joint studio in urban design and is a core faculty member in the architecture program's Urban Design Graduate Research Group while serving as director of the Urban Design Specialization in the Master of Urban Planning program. He is an affiliated faculty member of the MS in Real Estate Development Program in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

Hata is a registered architect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Urban Design. He has been an urban design/master planning consultant and designer for numerous projects including:

• Outstanding Planning Award in the category of Comprehensive Planning from the WNY APA Section for Niagara Waterfront Opportunity Area Plan; with LaBella Associates led a multi-disciplinary group of consultants: including School of Architecture & Planning/UB Regional Institute/Master Planning & Design, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels/LA
• Runner-up: International Design Awards Competition Bailey Green II received the runner-up recognition from International Making Cities Livable in the 53rd Conference, Rome, Italy, June, 2016
• Two Outstanding Student Project Awards from both American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter and its WNY Chapter, 2016
• Revitalizing Bailey-Genesee Neighborhood: an interdisciplinary studio between MArch and MUP students in Fall 2014, from the APA Professional Awards Committee; Upstate Chapter September, 2016; WNY Chapter in May, 2016
• First Prize: “The Gates Circle Hospital Reuse Design/Development Competition”
• A design partner of HGW Group with Chason Affinity Group as developer,  Sponsor: Kaleida Health of WNY
• The University at Buffalo North and South Campuses Landscape Master Plan, Niagara Falls Pine Avenue Business District Urban Design Plan
• His joint studio project, “Shaping A New Town Center for Grand Island, NY” , won awards from American Planning Association’s Upstate and Western New York Chapters.
• The Lower Niagara River park Master Plan won awards from American Planning Association’s Western New York Chapters.
  
• Third Prize: “the Buffalo Urban Retail Core International Design Competition”, with HHL Architects, fall, 1986