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.

Controversy Erupts Over Sidewalk Labs Development Plans in Toronto
Sidewalk Labs, the subsidiary company of Google parent company Alphabet, has designs for development potential far beyond the Quayside neighborhood where it's partnering with Waterfront Toronto to test new smart city technology.

When Analyzing Suburbs, Definitions Matter
The definitions of suburban chosen by researchers tend to fall into three categories—and each has a significant impact and the results of academic inquiry.

Mixed Messages on Federal Spending Bill's Attention to Gateway Rail Project
Project supporters and the Trump administration disagree on the takeaway for the Gateway project after Congress and the president signed a federal spending bill earlier this month.

Study Examines Bike Share Programs' Effect on Transit Ridership
Some good news, and some bad, on the effect of bike-share programs on transit ridership.

Chicago's Largest-Ever Tax Increment Financing District Approved for Lincoln Yards Development
The new TIF is expected to generate $900 million. Opponents wanted to wait until a new mayor is elected to decide on the TIF.