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.

Pilot Program Will Legalize Basement Apartments in East New York
One approach to easing New York City's housing crisis: legalize and incentivize the construction of basement apartments.

High-Speed Rail Not the Only Massive Public Works Project on the Chopping Block
California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to reduce the size of the $17 billion WaterFix project that plans for two tunnels under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.

Amazon Calls the Whole New York Thing Off
The AmazonHQ2 circus is packing up and moving to another city.

Local Governments Weigh-in on Oregon's Statewide Upzoning Proposal
Local planners and elected officials are expressing their opinions about Oregon's House Bill 2001, which would allow fourplexes on single-family residential units around the state.

Citywide Housing Strategy Launched in Cincinnati
Stakeholders in Cincinnati have begun the process of drafting a citywide blueprint to tackle its shortage of affordable housing. The process is just getting started, but the need is already immense.