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.
Mapping the Demographic Future of Cities
Cities change. The people living in cities change. A new online tool from the Urban Institute allows users to forecast demographic trends as far out at 2030.
How Economic Crisis Inspired Grassroots Organizations in Greece
Citiscope examines the organizing and volunteer efforts of citizens in Athens, Greece in response to the country's economic crisis.
On New York's Shadow Transportation System: 'Dollar Vans'
The New Yorker has published an interactive feature in New York's shadow transit system—the network of so-called "dollar vans."
New Taxes could Drive up the Cost of Conservation in Maine
Maine trails only three states in total acreage of land protected by conservation. A new plan to end the property tax exemptions for nonprofits, however, could make that work much more difficult.
Community Gardens are Collateral Damage in New York's Affordable Housing Plans
Here's a head scratcher: in its ambition to meet the affordable housing goals of Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development has proposed the redevelopment of 15 community gardens on city-owned property.