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.
Regional Transit in Detroit: An Idea Whose Time Has Not Yet Come
Transit supporters in the Detroit region suffered a setback last week, but the hope is that they've only lost a battle, not the war, for regional transit.
Zoning Didn't Stand a Chance Against the Economy in New York's Garment District
Zoning can only be so effective in holding off market forces, according to this column. New York City seems to have finally learned this lesson in the Garment District, but will it inform decisions in other parts of the city?
A Streetcar Hangs in the Balance in Seattle
A new streetcar extension would complete Seattle's streetcar network in a particularly busy corner of the city's downtown. The mayor doesn’t seem enthused with the idea, even if riders are already enthused with streetcars.
Breaking: Trump Administration Will Revoke California's Auto Emissions Authority
Sources leaked news of the Trump Administration's plans to dismantle the Obama-era environmental policies. The Trump Administration also aims to dismantle the Golden State's ability to regulate air pollution from vehicles.
Debating the Qualities of a Changing New York
Is the gritty, diverse New York of yesteryear dying, vanishing, or otherwise ceasing to exist? Depends on who you ask and where you look.