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.
Report Recommends $850 Million to Eradicate Detroit's Blight
The Detroit Blight Removal Task Force released its highly anticipated "Every neighborhood has a future...And it doesn't include blight" report today.
The Lay of the Land in the Columbus Success Story
Aaron Renn recently explored Columbus, Ohio, where he found a city fueled by growth and doing many things right, but lacking the differentiation it merits among the country's urban marketplaces.
Report Details the Role of Infrastructure Jobs in the U.S. Economy
A new report from the Brookings Institute examines the details employment in infrastructure jobs in the United States—as well as making a case that infrastructure jobs can address ongoing concerns in the economy.
Controversy Over Wrigley Field Renovations Heating Up
Paul Sullivan reports on the brewing controversy over the planned revisions of a renovation proposal for Wrigley Field that will pit the team against nearby rooftop owners.

Public Space as Pedestrian Facility: Comparing New York City and Paris
Paris and New York City are two of the world's more successful pedestrian cities, with each boasting several kinds of data that show the predominance of alternative transportation. An article compares public space in each for lessons.