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.
Shasta Dam Expansion Explorations Underway
Raising the height of the Shasta Dam in Northern California has been on the table since the 1980s. Now it looks like the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation is going through with it.
Short-Term Rentals Too Controversial to Touch in New Orleans
A proposed revision of the city of New Orleans' regulations of short-term rentals was too controversial for the City Planning Commission to approve at a hearing this week.
As Phoenix Light Rail Extension Debate Devolves, Questions About Funding
Transit advocates are saying the Koch Brothers are responsible for a sudden outbreak of controversy surrounding the South Central Light Rail Extension in Phoenix.
Little Caesars Arena as Catalytic Development
In exchange for generous public subsidies, Illitch Holdings, owner and developer of the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, promised large-scale economic development.
San Antonio's Pear District Rezoned for More Infill
One of San Antonio's most appealing and popular neighborhoods has been rezoned to allow for more urban infill developments.