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.
Transportation Impact Fee Finally on the Table in Seattle
The city of Seattle is the largest jurisdiction in the state of Washington that passes on its legal opportunity to implement a transportation impact fee on new development.
'Renter-First Housing Policy' Adopted by the Minneapolis City Council
The city of Minneapolis is taking positive steps to improve housing security for renters.
Vital Lessons From the Midwest Bomb Cyclone and Flooding of 2019
The floodwaters still haven't subsided in parts of the Midwest, and lessons about climate change, extreme weather and proactive planning are badly needed to avoid similar catastrophes in the future.
The Cuyahoga River Once Caught Fire, Now its Fish Are Safe to Eat
An environmental success story from Ohio.
New Dog Park a First for Downtown Phoenix
Phoenix. Phoenix let the dogs out.