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.
MTA Testing its Broken Signals
The Save Safe Seconds program is testing the beleaguered subway system's signal timers.
When Amazon Happens to Good Cities
After the news broke that Amazon was reportedly going to split its HQ2 plans between New York City and Washington, D.C., some cities are left console themselves. A Planetizen opinion piece picks up the pieces.
'Rock Pillows' the Latest Tool to Fight Coastal Erosion
The state of Louisiana is deploying giant 'pillows' of crushed rock to slow coastal erosion.
San Francisco's Voter-Approved Tax to Aid the Homeless Could Face Litigation
In California, 60 percent of a public vote isn't usually enough to approve a new tax.
The HealthLine's Impact on Cleveland
The bus rapid transit route known as the HealthLine has been in operation in Cleveland for ten years, with a measurably positive impact on the city, measured in development investment.