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 3,000-Year-Old Document That Planned Beijing
The Guardian Cities details how the Kaogong Ji brought an ancient order to the sprawling city of Beijing.
Critic Sees 'Dallas Logic' in Latest Trinity River Plans
Mark Lamster has eviscerated the city of Dallas for its plans to build the Trinity Toll Road before—and he'll probably do it again.
Friday Funny: Nation in Rapture Over Construction Project
Reading The Onion's latest satire of the built environment is a bit like the experience it describes: watching as a crane moves a large object on a construction site, otherwise known as being easily distracted by harmless fun.
Detroit Streetcar: Dan Gilbert Dubs Thee 'QLINE'
After purchasing the naming rights of the streetcar line formerly known as M-1 for $5 million, Dan Gilbert made a big reveal Thursday in Detroit.
Chicago Mayor Emanuel Announces Park Plans to a Skeptical Audience
In a much-hyped address earlier this week. Mayor Rahm Emanuel chose the title "Building on Burnham" to describe his survey of the Chicago's ongoing and future plans to develop parks and open space.