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.

The White House Announces a Big New Resilience Collaboration
The White House yesterday announced several initiatives aimed at improving awareness of resilience practices around the country. One of the initiatives has enlisted 97 universities and other organizations to train design professionals.

The Promise and Significance of Planning Month
This October, the American Planning Association celebrated National Community Planning Month, or #PlanningMonth for short.

Texas Flood Victims Searching for Answers
The controversy over the flooding of the Addicks Reservoir outside Houston seems to have no resolution in site. What follows is a cautionary tale about building homes where waters flood.
Plano's 'Legacy West' Mega Development Way Ahead of Schedule
The largest real estate project under construction in Texas, located in Plano, is wrapping up in about half the expected amount of time.

Charlotte Wonders About its Future as a Fast-Growing City
Behind all the debates surrounding the consequences of quick growth, a big question looms for Charlotte and other similarly growing cities: Will it last?