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.
Denver Moving Quickly to Preserve Affordable Housing Stock
Denver is considering its first steps toward an affordable housing preservation strategy, with time running out on the covenants that restrict rents on thousands of affordable housing units around the city.
Happy City, Boring City? Why Liveability Does Not Equate With Greatness
A funny thing about the cities that top liveability indexes all over the world: they tend to also lack a few characteristics sought after in more challenging cities.
Freeway Removal Plans Moving Along in Vancouver
A proposal to remove two viaducts in Vancouver, under study since 2011, might soon reach a final decision.
More on the U.S. Surgeon General's Historic Pro-Walking Stance
The idea that Americans should walk rather than drive: "a radical idea wrapped in a banal government document."
Washington, D.C. Housing Boom Only Serving One End of the Market
A post on Greater Greater Washington laments the lack of options coming online in Washington, D.C.'s housing boom—new housing is only of the most expensive variety.