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.

Seattle's 'Pathway Home' Initiative Seeks Housing First Strategy for Homeless
'Housing first' has become a policy buzzword of sorts to describe an approach to homeless services. A pair of new reports on the homelessness situation in Seattle finds consensus on the need for a housing first policy.

Los Angeles Adds New Developer Fee to Pay for Parks
The city of Los Angeles has been improving its parks resources for several years, and a new funding mechanism should help continue that trend.

Sunday Pun-Day: 'Safety Is Nothing to Poké Fun At'
You might have guessed it from that scintillating headline, but a state department of transportation has introduced a Pokémon Go-themed back-to-school safety campaign.

List: The Top 125 Buildings of the Last 125 Years
The Architectural Record celebrated its 125th anniversary by celebrating the field's most significant accomplishments over the same time period.

New York Could Ensure Benefits for Taxi, Uber Drivers
The New York City Council will consider legislation that would address a lack of employment benefits for 'gig economy' workers.