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.

A Conservative's Response to Joel Kotkin
A column by Reihan Salam takes exception to Joel Kotkin's recent portrayal of "anti-suburban conservatives."
Two Narratives Derived from New Commute Data
When it comes to making sense of the American Community Survey's data on commute times, it's all about how you frame the data.
Can Boston Change its 'Wink and Nod' Development Process?
A reborn plan to raze the Winthrop Square parking garage and replace it with the tallest building in Boston will provide a test for new Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
'eHighway' Pilot to Deliver Clean Air for Southern California Ports
Nate Berg details the "eHighway" road design project that will move goods away from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Why Smart Cities Must be Sharing Cities
Julian Agyeman and Duncan McLaren make the case that the only smart city is a shareable city.