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 Demonization of Developers
Developers can be our friends, according to this article, as they have been before.

Bernie Sanders Voices Clear Support for Rent Control
The United States should end homelessness, substantially increase funding for community land trusts, and support local rent control ordinances and inclusionary zoning requirements, according to an op-ed by the presidential candidate.

Uber Lays Off 400 Employees
The massive layoffs represent one-third of Uber's global marketing team.

After Lowering Speed Limits for Pedestrian Safety, Town Writes 1,000% More Speeding Tickets
Police are enforcing speed limits in the name of public safety in North Haledon, New jersey. Drivers are being urged to respect the speed limit.

Designs Revealed for Manhattan's First Public Beach
A designer was chosen in January, and conceptual rendering were released in July. Project boosters are also pushing an ambitious timeline that would start construction in late 2020.