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.
Bakersfield Turns to Crowdfunding for Downtown Revitalization Plans
Here's an experiment worth watching: Bakerfield's Downtown Business Development Corporation (DBDC) has launched a crowdfunding website in the hopes of seeing its urban design plans come to fruition.
Obituary: Jon Jerde, Founder of the Jerde Partnership
Jon Jerde—one of the country's most recognizable and prolific architects and urban designers—passed away this week.
The Cubs Remaking Wrigleyville as the 'Disney World of Baseball'
A Chicago Tribune article reveals some of the behind-the-scenes moves made by the Chicago Cubs to control more of the commercial interests in a neighborhood already famously devoted to its team.

Weekend Ignominy: the Worst Bus Stop in the United States
You, the voters, have decided: The worst bus stop in the United States is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Pittsburgh Approves with Development Plans for 28-Acre Civic Area Site
A large mixed-use development plan for Pittsburgh's former Civic Area site now has full approval from the city.