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.
Friday Funny: Morgan Freeman Narrates the Pedestrian Experience
The most famous voice in narration, Morgan Freeman, visited Jimmy Kimmel Live and put his vocal talents to good use.
Mixed Reviews for Calatrava's WTC Transportation Hub—Now Open to the Public
A section of the $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, opened to the public today. The project has already inspired controversy, and will likely continue to do so.
Wood Frame Construction Has Yet to Catch Up to Regulations in Toronto
When it comes to housing construction, the best intentions of regulators aren't always enough to sway the market.
U.S. Cities Cracking Down on Homelessness
Three major American cities this week—San Francisco, Dallas, and Los Angeles—responded to the growing number of homeless living on the streets with sweeps, arrests, and seizures, respectively.
A Tale of Two Cities: San Jose and Flint
The fixed costs of infrastructure projects leave cities like Flint struggling to pay their bills with fewer people pooling their resources.