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.

Construction Costs Holding Steady During Pandemic
It might have been wishful thinking to assume the pandemic would cause big declines in costs for materials and labor in the construction industry.

Proposed High-Rise in San Jose Claims Coronavirus Friendliness
The public relations and marketing messaging of the new normal.

Gaps Remain as Americans With Disabilities Act Approaches its 30th Anniversary
Public transit agencies around the country have made a lot of progress in providing access for people with disabilities, but there is a lot of work left to ensure to the full freedoms of mobility.

New Study Reveals Massive, Unaccounted Flood Risk
The Federal Emergency Management Agency undercounts the humber of homes at substantial risk of flooding by some 70 percent, according to a report released this week.

Someone Is Stealing Toronto's New Speed Cameras
A pilot program that installed 50 speed cameras near schools in Toronto would only send warnings to scofflaws, but someone is stealing the cameras anyway.