James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
Retail Job Decline Tilts Toward Rural Areas
While warehousing and ecommerce jobs are steadily increasing in most parts of the country, rural areas are particularly hard hit by the struggles of the retail sector.
Debating the Future of Development in California's Fire Prone Areas
With the state of California in the grips of its most destructive year of wildfires ever, policy makers are pondering questions about whether it is appropriate to rebuild in places at high risk of burning again.
Concerns Raised About Skyrocketing Bill for Wisconsin's Foxconn Deal
Governor Scott Walker and Foxconn Chair Terry Gou will sign a contract today that will pave the way for the Taiwan-based company to build a large manufacturing plant in Racine County.
Toronto Extends its Subway for the First Time in 15 Years
Fanfare, a full slate of politicians, and a day of free rides celebrated the opening of the extended Line 1 of the TTC subway system. There was also criticism of the new extension.
Obama Library-Adjacent, Tiger Woods-Designed Golf Course Facing Substantial Challenges
It might have been assumed that the names Tiger Woods and Barack Obama would open doors on the South Side of Chicago. Questions about the former president's vision for the South Side persist.