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.

Travis Kalanick, Uber's Controversial Founder, Finally Leaves the Company
The announcement finally severs the ties between the ride-hailing company and its founder and former CEO.

Wisconsin Town Could Lift Ban on Throwing Snowballs
Since 1962, throwing a snowball in Wausau, Wisconsin could have gotten you a ticket.

Watch the Miracle on 14th Street in Action
The changes to 14th Street in Manhattan have proven innovative ideas about bus priority and congestion relief.

The Anti-Urban Streak of Hallmark's Christmas Movies
The culture war episode sparked by a recent commercial aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel shouldn't surprise anyone who has noticed the anti-urban themes consistent in the channel's Christmas movies.

Christmas Eye Candy: The American Tradition of Christmas Decorations
Decorating for winter celebrations is an ancient tradition. The contemporary American version of the tradition comes in many forms.