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.
Governor Cuomo Announces Master Plan Competition for New York's Airports
When Vice President spoke earlier this year about the less than world class conditions at New York's LaGuardia Airport he found an audience in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Ranking the Cities with the Largest Rat Problem
Some cities have a reputation for rats, but all cities have them. Where does your major metropolitan center rank among the rattiest cities?
San Francisco Approves Airbnb-Enabling Regulation Despite High Profile Opposition
None other than U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, former mayor and native of San Francisco, penned an op-ed opposing a recent action by the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors to legalize short-term stays in private homes.
Employment Growth in Large, Dense Cities Paces Recovery
A study from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis finds evidence that large, dense metropolitan areas have experienced the most complete recovery following the Great Recession.

$5.4 Billion Freeway Plan Would Tunnel Under South Pasadena
One of Southern California's most controversial and (some would say) critical projects is on the radar again—the 710 extension through South Pasadena. Transportation officials are working on a tunnel plan, expected for public comment in February.