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.
The Journal of the American Planning Association's Single-Family Zoning Debate
Eric Jaffe, writing for Sidewalk Labs, details a recent issue of the Journal of the American Planning Association that debated the future of single-family zoning.
Pennsylvania to Shift Funding from Local Roads to Interstate Highways
To prevent losing funding if the state's interstate highways fall below new federal standards, Pennsylvania is rushing to change its capital investments plans.
Elevating Black Voices in the Planning Canon
The traditional narratives about the history of planning fail to note the role of Black urbanists, as well as the effect of planning policies on Black Americans.
Voters Could Get the Chance to Ease Development Restrictions in San Francisco
A ballot initiative by San Francisco Mayor London Breed would make it easier for qualifying developments (e.g., developments that include affordable housing) to sidestep discretionary approvals.
The City of Atlanta Housing Affordability Tracker
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms has promised to deliver 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2026.