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.
Election Day Roundup: Land Use, Development, and Infrastructure Measures
Planetizen rounded up all the pertinent results from local and state elections on November 8, 2017. The main theme of the day: voters continue to support local and state sources of infrastructure funding.
Houston Planning Director Dispels Myths About the Effects of Harvey
An interview with Houston Planning Director Patrick Walsh, conducted after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the city and reduced its planning and infrastructure to a talking point for pundits. It's time to let the locals do the talking.
A Form-Based Code Arrives in St. Louis
The Forest Park Southeast neighborhood in St. Louis has completed a years-long planning process—the result is a new form-based code.
A Silver Lining for Detroit's Failed Soccer Stadium Plan
The renaissance of Downtown Detroit will not include a new soccer stadium, but don't call it a setback.
New York Puts on its Dancing Shoes After Repeal of the 1927 Cabaret Law
For 91 years, dancing was practically illegal in New York City. The city is getting footloose, after the City Council repealed the 1927 Cabaret Law intended to control speakeasies.