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.

Planning Underway for New Bay Bridge Bike Path, and a Second Transbay BART Tube
In a distant and expensive future, there are two new ways to get across the San Francisco Bay without a car. One will have a much better view.

Portland Approves $36 Million Central City in Motion Plan
Portland has approved a plan that clears the way for $36 million in bike and other transportation safety projects in the city's downtown.

Watch Saturday Night Live's Hilarious Take on Amazon's HQ2 Decision
Saturday Night Love comes up with a novel hot take on the thinking behind Amazon's decision to split its new second headquarters between New York City and Northern Virginia.

Snow, 'Bureaucratic Snafu,' and Gun Shots: Rough First Day for Trolley Service in St. Louis
First, a snow day delayed the opening of the Loop Trolley in St. Louis. Then, the trolley didn't runt the full route. Finally, the trolley line became a crime scene.

Vancouver Launching its First Citywide Plan Since 1928
The Vancouver City Council decided to launch a new housing vision for the British Columbia city. Planners will have their work cut out for them balancing all the stakeholders in the expensive city.