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.
'Urban Yoga' Reveals the Human Element in Cities
"The Urban Yoga Photo Book" is a new, Kickstarter-funded photo book that blends the beauty and grace of yoga with the grit and structure of urban settings.

Friday Funny: the Onion Asks, 'Why Are Gas Prices So Low?'
The Onion is back with its unique brand of hard-hitting satire on the conditions of American life. This time the joke is on Americans celebrating low prices at the pump.
Report Recommends Bus Rapid Transit to Improve Traffic Safety
A new report by from the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities’ EMBARQ initiative provides evidence of the benefits of safe, well-designed BRT and bus priority systems.

A Small Town's Game-Changing Approach to Mapping
Portsmoth, New Hampshire has created textured, 3D maps of its historic district to help illustrate development impacts during the approval process.

Cleveland Skyscraper Design—with a Bridge at the 18th Floor—Raises Zoning Issues
A 54-story building currently under review in Cleveland would be city's the first skyscraper in a quarter-century—if it gains approval for some unique design components.