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.
An Era of Innovation for Park Design
Next City surveys the most ambitious examples of park design from a year of ambitious projects.
Economic Extremes Measured by New York City's Skyscrapers
The Washington Post performs a sort of reverse archaeology: looking skyward to the heights of building for a record of the country's economic fortunes.
The Sign of a Successful Bike Plan: Slow Biking
A bike plan isn't meant for the peloton. Here's how you can tell.
Oakland Eases Restrictions on Secondary Housing Units
Following the recent example of cities like Vancouver, Austin, and Berkeley, Oakland, CA recently made it much easier for residents to create secondary units, also known as accessory dwelling units.
New Federal Rule Decriminalizes Walking to School
The recently approved federal education law includes a provision that allows students to take alternative forms of transportation to and from school with parental permission.