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.

The Geography of Occupations: Some Neighborhoods Will Suffer More Than Others Under COVID-19
Census Bureau data shows we live near people with similar occupations, and right now frontline jobs are riskier for both health and economic well-being than working from home.

Coronavirus Signs Say So Much
The signs of the times say much more than words can express.

Friday Funny: An Adorable Housing Shortage in Cupcake Kingdom
A satirical article from last year, written by the Onion, offers a bit of satire as either a distraction from the public health crisis or as a reminder of the crisis that existed before the novel coronavirus.

Planning More Important Than Ever During the Pandemic
The work of planners might seem unimportant during the pandemic, according to this article, but some of the skills and expertise of planning are more important than ever.

Light Rail Service Restored in South Bay Area
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will start running trains again today, two weeks after shutting down service.