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.

Big University Expansion Planned in Downtown San Antonio
Aided by state, local, and private support, the University of Texas at San Antonio is planning a major expansion of its footprint in downtown San Antonio.

Meet Pulse, Richmond Virginia's New Bus Rapid Transit
Pulse BRT, the second BRT system in the state of Virginia, runs down Broad Street and offers a mix of best practices and practicality to push the mode beyond what many cities are able to realize.

Silicon Valley City to Approve Massive Vallco Development, Like it or Not
A new state law meant to overcome local barriers to development is having its first big test run in Cupertino, California.

Another, Final(?) Delay for Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement
The Washington Department of Transportation announced that Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct will close permanently in January 2019, with service switching over the tunnel Bertha built. The previous plan expected the switch to occur in the Fall.

Matching Urban Infill With Tree Infill
Seattle shows how new buildings and new trees can be added to a city simultaneously—in fact, neighborhoods adding new buildings are maintaining its urban tree canopy while static single-family neighborhoods are losing trees.