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.
Mercedes-Benz Developing Self-Driving Limousines
Manifesting predictions that many self-driving vehicles will serve as a new form of taxi service, Mercedes-Benz recently revealed some of its plans to develop a fleet of on-demand limousines.
Editorial Calls for the Gentrification of East New York
Unsurprisingly, an editorial titled "Gentrify East New York" provoked a strong response from the public.
Changes to Detroit's Foreclosure Auctions Disempower Homeowners and Tenants
A new law makes it impossible for property owners delinquent on their property taxes to bid in a foreclosure auction to keep their homes. Larger, commercial interests are benefitting from the change.
A Positive Fiscal and Land Use Analysis for St. Louis Riverfront Stadium Plans
A group of business students completed an analysis finding reasons to support a proposal to build an NFL stadium on the riverfront in St. Louis.
Crises and Innovation Converge on San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim's Watch
The latest installment of the Planners Across America series interviews John Rahaim, planning director for the City and County of San Francisco, about the heightened passions and perpetual controversies of planning in the City by the Bay.