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.
Portland Lowers Most of its Speed Limits to 20 mph
Portland has implemented one of the most sweeping commitments to traffic safety of any city in the United States: 20 mph speed limits over the vast majority of the city's streets.
Friday Eye Candy: Charting Road Maps By Hand
In the days before Google Maps, when AAA TripTiks and Thomas Guides ruled the planet…
Amazon Announces 20 Finalists for its Second Headquarters
In September, 238 applicants dreamed the impossible dream of attracting the second headquarters of Amazon, along with some 40,000 jobs. Today, all but 20 of those applicants will have to find a new quest.
Tax Abatements Could Spur Adaptive Reuse in Washington, D.C.
Faced with commercial vacancies around 11 percent and the prospect of new office supply coming online soon, D.C. stakeholders are pushing for a bill that would provide incentives for conversions of office buildings into residential units.
Pittsburgh Hoping to Improve its Winter Storm Recovery Efforts
The city of Pittsburgh is responding to complaints by residents of poor road conditions after snow and ice coated the city's rad this week.