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.
Democrats in the House Improves Gateway Project's Prospects
The local and regional political leaders with a stake in the Gateway project connecting New York and New Jersey see a little light at end of the tunnel now that Democrats hold a majority in the House of Representatives.

Watch Las Vegas Expand While Lake Mead Contracts
The "Satellite timelapse" account on YouTube created a timelapse of satellite imagery of Las Vegas and nearby Lake Mead between 1986 and 2016.
Leadership Change at the New York MTA
MTA Chair Joe Lhota has resigned after 16 months on the job, announcing his departure just days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo won reelection.

San Jose Launching a Self-Driving Car Program in 2019
The city of San Jose in California's Silicon Valley is familiar with self-driving cars on the road, but this is its first partnership with self-driving car companies.

Philly's Indego Bike Share Goes Electric
Bike share riders in Philadelphia will have the option of trying something a little zippier.