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.
Trump, Carson, and 'Inner Cities'
Both during the campaign and his victory speech, President-elect Trump referenced the troubled conditions of 'inner cities.' A Tufts professor offers advice for the new administration if it really wants to help.

Facebook to Donate $20 Million for Housing and Jobs in its Own Backyard
Facebook has decided that being a good neighbor means donating funding toward affordable housing.

Friday Funny: The Best of the Best Gentrification Parodies
Sometimes you have to stop and laugh about the big problem with no immediate nor obvious solution. You might even learn something while doing it.

The Country's Largest Urban Park—Coming Soon to Dallas
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Friday Eye Candy: A 30-Year Timelapse Reveals Humanity's Expanding Footprint
The Google Timelapse feature has been updated. The only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.