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.
Comprehensive Building Code Update Approved in Chicago
Chicago's new building code is hailed as a major achievement for the city, labor unions, and the construction and development industries in the city.
Budget Overruns Put the Brakes on Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan
After initial projects funded by the 2015 Move Seattle levy came in well over budget, the city of Seattle will now have extra pressure to choose impactful projects while reducing the scope of its Bicycle Master Plan.
More Evidence that Decline and Concentrated Poverty Define the Urban Experience
Concern about gentrification in urban areas has dominated the urbanism discussion for more than a decade now, at the expense of a more informed understanding of urban dynamics and the potential for more effective action.
How to Design and Plan to Address the Root Causes of Gender Inequality
Gender equality has never played such a prominent role in the design of public and urban spaces. The world needs more than superficial, reactionary measures to address the long history of public space as the physical realm of patriarchy.
Details of St. Paul Riverfront Plans Emerge
A plan to remake the St. Paul riverfront, and potentially revitalize the downtown office market, took its first steps forward this week.