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.
Local Officials Deal With Fallout of State's Decision on Toll Roads
Texas state legislators are holding to a promise not to spend voter-approved transportation funds on new toll roads. Local officials are scrambling.
MTA's 'Genius Transit Challenge' Finalists Have Plenty of Resources to Muster
The headline on the New York Times when the "Genius Transit Challenges was announced: "M.T.A. Asks Transit Fans, ‘Who Wants to Be a Subway-Saving Millionaire?’" Now it looks like the winner will already be a millionaire.
Ferry Service Expanding to Keep Pace With Bay Area Growth
Ridership on Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferries, which operate around the San Francisco Bay, has grown 78 percent since 2012. Investment in new and expanded facilities is preparing for even more growth.
Detroit Still Has More to Worry From Decline Than Gentrification
For every feel-good story about urban revitalization, or more problematic tale of gentrification, the experience in much of Detroit has more to do with decline.
Cross-Border High-Speed Rail Studied for the Pacific Northwest
The state of Washington has taken a first, serious look at a high-speed rail project linking Vancouver in British Columbia to Seattle and Portland.