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.
Blue Urbanism: Connecting Cities and Oceans
A new book called 'Blue Urbanism: Exploring Connections between Cities and Oceans,' by Timothy Beatley, argues that cities must expand their understanding of urbanism to include their impacts on the oceans.
Sans Litter Ban, Tubers Trash Rivers in Texas
Tubers and tourists had their right to litter protected by a district judge in Texas. What they got as a result was…a lot more litter.
Asians and Latinos: Contrasts in Population Growth
The immigration trends in the United States are both changing quickly and a long time in the making, according to new research by the Pew Research Center
Holy Autonomous Bicycles Batman!
Recent reports reveal that a Chinese Internet search company known as Baidu is developing a bicycle that will ride itself. The technology could be game changer in Asia—China, for instance, has 551 million bike riders.
Philadelphia Zoning Board Called Out for 'Municipal Dysfunction'
Ryan Briggs reports on the state of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment—although zoning reform was a promise of Mayor Michael Nutter's administration, Briggs finds that inconsistency and mysterious politics still mar the board's decisions.