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.
Holiday Cheer from Detroit: Downtown Office Vacancies Have Rebounded in a Big Way
A new report on office vacancies in Downtown Detroit shows just how far Downtown Detroit has come in ten years.
New York City Relying on Hotels to House the Homeless
Throughout 2016, New York City has expanded the practice of renting hotel rooms to house homeless people. Now the city is looking for a vendor to shoulder some of the work of finding rooms for those in need.
The Place-Based Magic of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
An examination of the commentary on place found in the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."
A Christmas Gift From Cambridge: A 'Watch for Bikes' Sticker
Drivers get a sticker for their rear view mirrors, and bikers get the gift of knowing that people behind the wheel share the responsibility for road safety.
The Best New Bike Lanes of 2016
The annual list of the best new bike lanes from around the country is brought to us by PeopleForBikes.