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.
$1 Billion Mixed-Use Complex Halts Construction in L.A.
The example of Oceanwide Plaza, which recently halted construction across the street from the Staples Center, raises more questions than it answers about foreign investment in Downtown Los Angeles' revitalization.
Silicon Valley Tech Community Commits $500 Million to Fund Housing Crisis
A large group of technology and philanthropic foundations has announced multiple funds to help mitigate the crisis of housing affordability in the Bay Area. It's the second such effort announced already this year.
HUD Announces $2 Billion in Grant Funding for Local Homeless Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is renewing program support for thousands of local programs that offer support and assistance to the homeless.
Draft Climate Action Plan Aims for Carbon Neutrality in San Antonio
The city of San Antonio is working on a plan to reduce its reliance on carbon-emitting fuels.
Portland Throwing its Pioneering Neighborhood System Under the Bus
A muddled agenda of inclusion seems to be a rationale to eviscerate one of the Oregon city's most lauded civic assets.