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.

1,100 New Homes Planned in the Middle of San Francisco
The prospect of a large mixed-use development on a 17-acre parking lot in the center of San Francisco took a substantial step forward this week.

The COVID-19 Housing Crisis and the Housing Affordability Crisis Have the Same Solutions
The solutions for the U.S. housing crisis caused by the economic wreckage of COVID-19 will also provide relief in the future, according to this article.

Closure Averted, New York's L Train Repairs Also Finish Under Budget, Ahead of Schedule
A perhaps surprising measure of success has been achieved by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Criticism for Plans for Massive Inland Port Plan Near the Great Salt Lake
The Utah Inland Port Authority has moved forward quickly with a plan to build a massive inland port complex, despite the objections of local officials in Salt Lake City.

30 Health and Safety Requirements Determine Which Construction Projects Can Restart in Washington
New construction projects are still on hold, but the state of Washington is allowing some projects to restart under strict health and safety guidelines.