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.

Kamala Harris Reintroduces 'Rent Relief Act'
The Rent Relief Act would provide a refundable tax credit for renters who pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

New Bike Infrastructure Standard Set in Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts has made a thorough commitment to building robust bike infrastructure with every street repair project.

Slow-Growth Measure Headed to the Ballot in Colorado's Fifth-Largest City
Voters in Lakewood, Colorado, have a chance to enact anti-development policies that would place new limits on the number of new housing units that could be built in the city, while also placing new controls on the approvals process.

A Car-Centric Past and a More Vertical Future in Phoenix
Phoenix has the zoning for more height in its downtown, and future development might finally yield a more recognizable skyline.

Finding Ways for States and Cities to Work Together to Solve the Housing Crisis
The National League of Cities has a new report surveying local tools for addressing the housing affordability crisis. State partnerships are included.