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.
Zoning Reform Skepticism
Ending single-family zoning, as more cities around the United States have begun to do, is too extreme a response to contemporary planning challenges, according to a recent opinion piece published by the East Bay Times.
Downtown Milwaukee Area Plan Update Kicks Off
Billions of dollars in investment and thousands of new residential units later, Milwaukee is ready to update the plan for its downtown.
California City the First to Ban New Gas Stations
With the state mandating a switch to electric vehicles by 2035, Petaluma is aligning its land use regulations with its climate goals.
Comprehensive Plan Update Stokes Controversy in D.C.
Complex political dynamics are mustering for a showdown over D.C.'s comprehensive plan.
Did the Pandemic End the Car's Domination of New York Streets?
Imagining a post-car (or car-lite) New York City.