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.
Where the United States Is Diversifying the Fastest
The Brookings Institution has been using new media formats to illustrate the striking demographic changes sweeping the country.
Spain Wants to Crack Down on Drunk Walkers
Officials in the country of Spain have proposed a crackdown on drunk walking. The effect of the law would be to equate the pedestrian's use of the road with the drivers of automobiles.
Los Angeles Releases 20-Year Plan for Mobility
One of the largest ongoing planning efforts in the city of Los Angeles is an update to the Mobility Element of the city's General Plan. A revised version of the draft "Mobility Plan 2035" was released in February.
Norfolk Southern's $2.4 Billion Capital Improvement Plan for 2015
A railroad that spans 22 states on the East Coast as well as in the South and Midwest plans to spend a record $2.4 billion on capital improvements this year.
Google Reveals Designs for New Headquarters in Mountain View
The design reveal is more than just a showcase for architects Bjarke Ingels and Thomas Heatherwick. The project also raises tough questions about how far suburban cities in the South Bay Area are willing to go to support the current tech boom.