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.

Los Angeles Launches Wave of Community Plan Updates
With a promise to update all 35 of its community plans by 2024, Los Angeles took a big step toward that goal this week by launching new planning processes in nine community plan areas.

Google Maps Goes Multi-Modal
A bunch of new features makes Google Maps user-friendly for transit commuters.

Milwaukee Streetcar Boosting Property Values Before Opening
The M-Line of The Hop streetcar is set to open in Milwaukee on November 2, but property values the route are already climbing faster than the rest of the city.

Bus Rapid Transit Extension at Risk in St. Paul
A looping in Downtown St. Paul is at risk after Ramsey County commissioners threaten to scuttle the project.

SEPTA Catches Philadelphia's Mascot Fever
And perhaps regrets it.