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 Vacancy Epidemic
A new report uses terms like epidemic and hyper-vacancy to drive home the point about the effects of vacancies on communities like Cleveland, Gary, Toledo, and Detroit.
Everett's New Downtown Plan Ready for Scrutiny
A public hearing offers a chance to analyze the zoning changes proposed by the "Metro Everett" downtown plan.
Planning for the 'Non-606': The Englewood Line
Englewood is a predominately black neighborhood in Chicago, struggling with vacancies and the effects of failed urban policies. A bike and pedestrian path could be a huge benefit, but that benefit would look a lot different than other parts of city.
The Return of an American Pastime: The Roadtrip
Millennials are bringing back the road trip.
A New Riverfront Park in New York City
A new park on the East River in Williamsburg adds "one hell of an amenity" to Brooklyn.