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.
MTA Bridges Go Cashless in New York City
Cold hard cash is becoming a relic of the past for navigating the nation's transportation system.
Pittsburgh's Planned Bus Rapid Transit Could Leave Some Riders Behind
A proposed bus rapid transit route connecting Pittsburgh to the neighborhood of Oakland will surely benefit many commuters, but other transit commuters, including some of the poorest in the region, will face new hardships.
San Jose Sets Target for 25,000 New Housing Units in the Next Five Years
The mayor of San Jose's newly announced housing plan would include 10,000 affordable units.
Whole Foods and Amazon: Lessons from Walmart
The question of whether Amazon's ownership of Whole Foods will make opportunities, or take them away, is still up for debate.
At Least One Paterson Councilmember Is Skeptical About Plans to Revitalize Great Falls Area
What should a local elected leader do when he or she disagrees with a high-profile expenditure with support from on high?