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.
Train Running Late? This Refund's for You
D.C. Metro is considering a new "Rush-Hour Promise"—if you're train is running 15 minutes later or more, your fare will be refunded.
Hawaii Population in Rare Decline
The population of Hawaii fell in 2017 for only the third time since 1959. High housing costs are likely to blame.
What's a Climate Action Plan if it Has No Teeth?
The city of Pasadena has released its draft Climate Action Plan, but how will the city achieve an 83 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if the plan sets no mandates?
Transit Needs More Allies at the State Level
While the federal government withdraws financing support for public transit, one writer says Democrats in the state of Washington need to gird support for Sound Transit 3's funding initiatives.
How an Urban Grid Becomes a Maze
Many rational, open grids can seem like a labyrinth to users. The labyrinth has emerged as an unplanned consequence of the evolution of cities, but solutions like GPS navigation and autonomous vehicles could mean relief.