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.
Columbus Just Changed its 'Smart City' Plan
The original plan earned the city a highly competitive $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Federal Highway Administration Bureaucrat Says Rainbow Crosswalks Are a Liability
An administrator for the Kentucky division of the Federal Highway Administration informed the city of Lexington that its rainbow crosswalk does not meet federal safety standards.
Environmental Impact Bonds Change the Funding Game for Green Infrastructure
The Rockefeller Foundations EIB Challenge is putting a spotlight on an innovative new funding mechanism.
Chicagoland's Regional Transportation Authority Helping Deliver Local TOD Results
The Regional Transportation Authority has been supporting transit oriented development planning processes in suburbs like Bartlett.
Private Equity, Debt, and the Real Causes of the 'Retail Apocalypse'
David Duyen identifies an under-reported culprit in the so-called "retail apocalypse," and challenges policy makers to respond.