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.

Urban Planning Resources for COVID-19
Online misinformation has been unavoidable, but the Internet is also full of tools essential for understanding the changed world of COVID-19.

Mass Evictions Predicted as Short-Term Economic Relief Runs Out
Another month, another rental payment crisis for millions of Americans.

The New Normal for the Construction Industry
The changes coming to the construction industry to protect the safety and health of workers during the pandemic could stay in place for the foreseeable future.

1,500 Temporary Layoffs for Transit Workers in Vancouver
Sad days for public transit agencies in Canadian cities could be a sign of layoffs to come for U.S. transit agencies.

Planning Commissioner Resigns After Throwing Cat, Drinking Beer During Zoom Hearing
A strange story from a suburban city in Northern California gives a black eye to the public planning process, and the idea of conducting essential civic duties remotely during an international public health crisis.