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.
One Wet Year Doesn't Mean the Drought Is Over
Rivers are high and drought conditions have been lifted, but experts say that the 19-year drought in Colorado isn't over.
D.C. Residents Report 'Residential Instability'
Residents of Washington, D.C. report being very concerned about being forced to move by rising housing prices.
Multi-Family Market Grinds to a Halt in New York City
Not since the Great Recession have sales of multi-family residential buildings in New York City slowed to such a standstill. Experts are blaming the state's new rent control regulations.
Pedestrian Plan Takes Big Step Forward in Milwaukee
There is still political work to do, and questions to be answered about funding, but a new pedestrian plan for the city of Milwaukee has cleared a key council committee.
No More 'Manholes' in Berkeley
In removing all gendered language from its civil code, the city of Berkeley is tossing out some familiar nomenclature.