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.

As New Orleans Property Values Climb, Property Taxes Relief Considered
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is searching for ways to mitigate the impacts of "skyrocketing property values" while also holding on to some of the new revenue created by the corresponding rising property taxes.

A Climate Change 'Paradigm Shift' in Florida
Even Republicans are talking about climate change in Florida since former Governor Rick Scott left office.

Historic Rail Line, Part of the Triboro RX Plan, Considered for Passenger Rail
A rail corridor that carried passengers from 1876 until 1924, and only freight since, could handle passenger traffic again through a plan under consideration by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Condo Development Starts Construction in Philadelphia's Historic Jewelers Row
The traditional view of Sansom Street will soon vanish into Philadelphia's past, as the Jewelers Row District makes room for the future.

Scaling Up Co-Living With Adaptive Reuse
In Chicago, a developer plans to convert 31 floors of a commercial building in Chicago into space for 505 co-living residents.