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.
Outgoing City Councilmember Suggests Zoning Overhaul in Philadelphia
Land use was a deciding factor in May when long-time Philadelphia City Councilmember Jannie Blackwell lost in a May primary election. Now, in a final month in office, Blackwell proposes the changes that some community members were waiting for.

Density Drives Demand for Electric Scooters
Lyft is ceasing operations of its electric scooter business in six U.S. cities, citing the lack of population density as a reason business struggled in those markets.

An Ambitious Approach to Planning a Small Texas City
Bastrop, a fast-growing city located north of Austin, is plotting growth on a street grid.

Vancouver Launches a New Citywide Planning Process
The first days of public engagement for Vancouver's new citywide plan began this week in Vancouver.
Sir Rod Stewart, the Super Passionate Model Railroad Builder
Celebrities: they're just like we wish we had the time, space, and money to be.