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.
A Culture Change Takes Hold at the Detroit Planning Department
For all its troubles, Detroit has undertaken some of the greatest urban success stories of recent years. New leadership at the city's Planning Department is hoping to expand those narratives to long-neglected parts of the city.
Minneapolis Pulls Out of its Regional Economic Development Partnership
The Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (Greater MSP) will now longer have funding support from the city of Minneapolis.
D.C. Streetcar Working in Harmony with Overlapping Bus Lines
The D.C. Streetcar wraps up 2016 with positive news for its ridership numbers, as well as a positive effect on the nearby transit system.
The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2016
No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.
Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization
A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.