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.

State and Local Border Restrictions Draw Legal Scrutiny
Some call restrictions at state and county borders necessary to protect the public health of communities. Others call them unconstitutional.

$1 Million for an Affordable Apartment in California—Coronavirus Could Make it Worse
The pre-existing condition of the California housing market will make it very difficult to meet the demands of the state's residents as unemployment spikes in the state.

Once-in-a-Millennium Megadrought—Happening Now in the Western United States
The Western United States is experiencing a drought the scale of which has only been seen once before in the past 1,200 years, according to a new study. Climate change is not a future problem, say the researchers responsible for the study, it's here.

AIA National Conference Canceled
The conference had been postponed with the potential of being rescheduled later this year.

Subway-Coronavirus Connection Suffers From Lack of Evidence
There is little evidence that the New York Subway is spreading the coronavirus, according to analysis by Alon Levy.