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.

Sidewalk Labs' 'Smart Cities' Experiment in Toronto Scaled Way Back
From 190 acres to 12 acres, that's the reduction in scale announced this week by representatives of Sidewalk Labs of its plan for Quayside on the waterfront in Toronto.

Luxury Condos, Not Luxury Single-Family Homes, Take the Blame in the Affordability Debate
An article in The Urbanist suggests the ire over new developments is misplaced.

New Ride-Hailing Area at LAX, Called 'LAX-it,' Has Rough Opening Day
The central terminal area at Los Angeles International Airport experienced a sudden onset of calm this Tuesday—the nearby LAX-it waiting area for ride-hailing pick-ups and drop-offs, not so much.

Mapping the Geography of Jobs and Around New York City
The geography of work in New York City must include an analysis of the larger region, according to a new report from the New York City Department of City Planning.

The 50 Most Influential Tall Buildings of the Last 50 Years
Sure to stir controversy, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has compiled a list of the 50 most influential tall buildings of the last 50 years.