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.

Recovery Plan Meets Federal Deadline for Honolulu Rail Project
The Federal Transit Administration was withholding funding for the beleaguered Honolulu Rail Transit project until the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation came up with a financial plan to get the project to its long-delayed completion.

Pace of Transformation Quickens in Downtown Phoenix
The Arizona Republic spent the week fêting the "rebirth" of Downtown Phoenix, covering the evolution of the urban core of this sprawling metropolis from several angles.
Big Changes Proposed for I-81 in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Transportation is proposing $2 billion worth of changes to Interstate 81 in Roanoke.

Court Upholds Paris' Car Ban Along the Seine
The ability of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to ban cars from the Seine Quays was at stake.

Seattle's Regrettable 'Never Built' History
Knute Berger catalogues Seattle voters' history of rejecting civic projects.