Successful Economic Development in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

Bio: Mr. James is a Principal Consultant with the planning and design consultant Camiros, Ltd. His 30-year tenure with the firm has produced a wide range of project experience. As both an AICP planner and registered landscape architect, he has addressed both policy and site-based issues for both public and private-sector clients. His site planning experience includes both urban redevelopment and greenfield projects, and he has represented private developers in site plan review negotiations as well as municipal clients. His economic development work has largely focused on disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. He directed "quality-of-life" neighborhood plans for the Chicago LISC office for the Woodlawn and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods. He recently completed the Auburn Gresham TOD Master Plan, which used transit-oriented development as the driving force for economic revitalization. Lastly, his involvement in varied projects in Chicago's 34th Ward over a twenty-year period has provided a unique perspective on successful economic development in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Education: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University