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.
Broad, Controversial Land Use Regulations Proposed for Mississippi River through Minnesota
After a failed attempt at similarly broad land use regulations failed in 2011, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is again undertaking an outreach process to create land use regulations along 72 miles of the Mississippi River.
Study: Diverse Neighborhoods Support Mental Health for the Elderly
A study published in Health & Place finds that those seeking good mental health well into their golden years should look to diverse neighborhoods rather than gated communities.

Friday Funday: New Google Maps Game Tests Your Geography Knowledge
If you're obsessed with trivia and maps, prepare to lose some hours.
Census: More Americans Living in 'Poverty Areas'
In the most recent analysis to come from a bounty of data releases this week from the U.S. Census, Governing examines the growth of poverty, especially the areas where it concentrates.
New Census Data Shows the Country's Age
Christopher Ingraham breaks down recent data from the U.S. Census that shows which counties are getting younger and which are getting older.